Former FSU Instructor Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

Tallahassee, Florida

Dylan Kelby Rogers, a 39-year-old former instructor at Florida State University, pleaded guilty to charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography in U.S. District Court in Tallahassee on June 30. Rogers faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison following the guilty plea.

The prosecution emphasized its commitment to addressing offenses that exploit children, with U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Rogers reported an extortion attempt to law enforcement in December 2024, which subsequently led to the investigation of his criminal activities.

According to court documents, Rogers met the alleged extortionist through a dating app. They met at Rogers’ apartment, where they reportedly consumed methamphetamine and watched child pornography together. The individual, who falsely represented himself as an undercover federal agent, coerced Rogers into performing illegal acts, including disabling the security features on his phone. Threatening to expose Rogers unless he paid $15,000, the extortionist escalated the situation, prompting Rogers to alert law enforcement.

During an interview with federal agents, Rogers surrendered a new cellphone that contained over 30 videos of child pornography, which included troubling images of victims as young as toddlers. The horrifying nature of the material led to his immediate arrest and subsequent legal action.

Professional Background

Initially identified by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a “local university professor,” Rogers was later correctly designated as a “former university postdoctoral scholar.” His affiliation with Florida State University lasted from August 8, 2022, until January 7, 2023, when he was terminated after authorities learned of his criminal activities.

Rogers’ academic credentials include serving as the assistant director of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece, and teaching as a lecturer at the University of Virginia. At Florida State University, he led courses such as “Great Discoveries in World Archaeology” and “Art & Archaeology of Ancient Greece,” showcasing a strong background in the humanities.

Monitoring and Upcoming Sentencing

Prior to his sentencing, Rogers was under home confinement with GPS monitoring in Tennessee. Chief U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor is scheduled to preside over the sentencing hearing on September 15. Upon release from prison, Rogers is expected to face a lifetime of supervised probation, ensuring that authorities maintain oversight of his activities post-incarceration.

Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The investigation into Rogers was conducted collaboratively by the Tallahassee Police Department and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Attorney’s Office tasked Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin M. Keen with prosecuting the case, while Rogers was represented by Tallahassee defense attorney Luke Newman.

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the continued efforts needed to tackle child exploitation and the complexities surrounding the legal and social implications involved in such offenses. The outcome of the sentencing will be closely watched as authorities reaffirm their pledge to protect vulnerable populations from criminal exploitation.