BULLHEAD CITY – A Laughlin man arrested in a Bullhead City-focused sting operation targeting adults preying upon children for sex is going to the Arizona Department of Corrections. A stipulated two- to three-and-a-half-year prison term awaits Austin Rogers, 31, who entered a plea agreement on April 20.
Rogers is one of nine men arrested in a late Jan. investigation that used an adult pretending to be a 15-year-old girl in electronic communications. He is being convicted of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and another charge reduced to attempted child sex trafficking.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney Leah Nelson said Rogers began communicating with the teen-posing undercover officer on the “Meet Me” social media site before continuing to message on other apps. She said the discussion identified sex acts, payment and a meeting place.
Nelson said Rogers was taken into custody after arriving at the rendezvous point, readily admitting his guilt. “I’m an idiot. I screwed up big time,” Rogers told officers, according to Nelson.
In addition to prison, Rogers will be placed on lifetime probation during a May 18 sentencing hearing.
Dave Hawkins
