Robyn Rogers
LAKE HAVASU CITY – A prosecutor said a former Lake Havasu City school teacher took advantage of a teenager’s troubled home life and her position of trust to cultivate an illegal sexual relationship with the underage male runaway. Deputy Mohave County Attorney Marcie Mininberg’s comments came during a Tuesday hearing for Robyn Rogers, 44.
Mininberg told Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen that Rogers initially met the victim when he was a high school freshman. She said an unknown period of time passed before the pair reconnected and the 17-year-old confided in her about his problems at home.
The teen was reported a runaway in mid-February and local police subsequently asked Rogers several times if she knew where he was, according to Mininberg. She said the defendant knowingly and repeatedly lied to investigators as she helped him gain employment and remain in hiding.
Rogers’ attorney Bob Heieck said the defense vigorously contests Mininberg’s assertions.
Mininberg said Rogers remained a staff member at the Telesis Preparatory Academy until her July 11 arrest. She said the victim has indicated he wanted to hold off any relationship with Rogers until he turned 18 “but that she was too much to handle.”
The hearing was focused on Heick’s motion to reduce her $25,000 bond so that Rogers might gain freedom pending trial. He requested that she be released on her own recognizance.
It was noted during the proceeding that the defendant apparently has a husband but would be residing with her daughter if she gains pre-trial release.
Rogers has pleaded not guilty to a custodial interference charge and two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. Judge Jantzen noted the charges are serious and the allegations disturbing.
Jantzen ordered a slight reduction in bond to $20,000 and that she be supervised under the pre-trial services program if she bonds out of custody. Rogers next faces an Aug. 26 pre-trial conference.
Dave Hawkins
