A Las Vegas police officer, Caleb Rogers, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Tuesday for stealing nearly $165,000 in a series of casino heists. Rogers, who had been on unpaid suspension since his arrest 20 months ago, apologized before his sentencing. His mother, Crystal Rogers, expressed her support for him in court. The 35-year-old officer brandished his department-issued weapon during one of the heists and was found guilty of the offense.
The incident occurred in February 2022, when Rogers was arrested following a brief struggle with casino security officers in a parking lot near the Las Vegas Strip. One guard was so shaken by the encounter that he decided to leave his job. Rogers, wearing jail clothing, appeared in court with eyeglasses, a beard, and his hair pulled back in a short ponytail. He expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the impact it had on his family.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon recognized Rogers’ struggles with gambling addiction and financial troubles and credited him for his previous service to the community. Rogers’ lawyer, Richard Pocker, argued for leniency, highlighting his client’s involvement in a family ministry, assistance to homeless people, and past work as an emergency medical technician. Pocker also pointed out the irony of Rogers’ status as a police officer being used as a reason for harsher punishment.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that Rogers’ job status will be determined by an ongoing internal investigation. The judge sentenced Rogers to less than the maximum possible term of 22 years and imposed an additional three years of supervised release after prison. Rogers was also ordered to pay $85,310 in restitution to the affected casinos.
In his remarks, Judge Gordon acknowledged Rogers’ past contributions to the community but emphasized that his actions were driven by his own demons. Instead of seeking help, Rogers resorted to armed robbery. Rogers, who was a patrol officer at the time, targeted casinos off the Strip in a series of heists that began in November 2021. He was found guilty of all three robberies and an enhancement for brandishing a weapon, which added seven years to his sentence.
Pocker announced plans to appeal the convictions and sentence to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, claiming weak evidence from the U.S. government. During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Rogers as a gambling addict overwhelmed by debt. They alleged that he recruited his younger brother to assist in robbing a casino in an affluent Las Vegas community. Josiah Rogers, testifying under immunity, provided details of the robbery and their subsequent division of the stolen money.
The trial revealed that Caleb Rogers also robbed another casino in North Las Vegas and later stormed a sportsbook at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. In the latter incident, he threatened to use a gun while stealing $79,000 before being apprehended by security guards. The money was recovered, and Rogers was tackled outside the casino, causing the wig he had been wearing to come off.
Overall, Rogers’ sentencing highlights the consequences of his criminal actions and the impact they had on the community. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing addiction and seeking help rather than resorting to illegal activities.
