Trial Date Set for Decatur Man Charged with Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Pornography Offenses

URBANA, Ill. – An initial trial date in September has been scheduled for a Decatur, Ill., man, Emmett J. Rogers, 47, who has been arrested and indicted on federal child sexual exploitation and child pornography charges. Rogers, of the 400 block of South 22nd Street, appeared in federal court on July 18, in Urbana for arraignment.

The indictment alleges that in October 2018, Rogers exploited a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce images of the conduct. The indictment further alleges that on four occasions in October and November 2018, Rogers transported child pornography via computer and possessed child pornography in June 2019.

Rogers was arrested on June 11, 2019, and charged by criminal complaint. According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Rogers was identified through cybertips sent by Google to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

If convicted of the offense of child sexual exploitation, Rogers faces up to 50 years in prison; for each count of transportation of child pornography (four counts) the maximum penalty is 40 years on prison; and, for possession of child pornography, the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison.  Each of the six counts includes a fine of up to $250,000.

During Rogers’ initial court appearance on June 11, U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long ordered that Rogers remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Decatur Police Department; the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.