Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on April 4, 2019, Circuit Judge Ana Garcia Sentenced John Rogers to life in prison, with a total of 45 years in prison to run concurrent with the life sentence. He was designated as a Sexual Predator and sentenced under the Jimmy Ryce Act.
On March 22, 2019, a Bay County jury found John Rogers guilty as charged of Sexual Battery Under Specified Circumstances, three counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery, Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, and guilty of the lesser included offense of Lewd and Lascivious Battery.
Evidence presented at trial by the State established that the Defendant had a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old victim for over a year. The evidence showed that after a year, the victim no longer wanted to have contact with the defendant, at which time the defendant became angry and forcefully raped her and threatened to harm her family.
This case was investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nichole Pieper and Barbara Beasley.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.