Dylan Kelby Rogers, a former postdoctoral scholar from Tallahassee, Florida, has pled guilty in federal court to charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to the vigilant efforts of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this disgusting defendant will be held accountable for peddling in child porn and victimizing the most vulnerable members of our community. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi have set forth a clear mission: protect America’s children. My office will aggressively prosecute offenders who victimize our children to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court documents reveal that in December 2024, Rogers reported an online extortion incident to the Tallahassee Police Department. During an interview with a federal agent, he admitted to watching child pornography with another individual on an online application and showed the agent several videos stored on his cell phone. A forensic examination uncovered over 30 illegal videos on his device, along with evidence of communications about child pornography with other users.
Rogers could face up to twenty years in prison followed by lifetime supervision upon release.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Tallahassee Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for September 15, 2025, at 3:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or public court documents related to this case, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov or access them via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.
