Las Vegas cop found guilty in string of casino heists

A Las Vegas police officer was convicted Friday by a federal jury on all counts of stealing almost $165,000 in a series of casino heists.

Caleb Rogers, 35, could now serve a maximum life sentence in prison for wielding a loaded, police department-issued gun during the third heist in 2022. His sentencing was scheduled for October by U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon.

One of the jurors, Lloyd Dickerson, said that “everything kind of added up,” as he spoke to reporters outside the courthouse. “It took all of the evidence and all of the testimony from everybody to come to this conclusion,” he added.

Rogers reportedly showed no emotion as the verdict was read, and his attorney, Richard Pocker, later announced plans to appeal the conviction.

At the time of the heists, Rogers was an active-duty patrol officer and has been on unpaid leave without police powers since the arrest.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said that Rogers’ future “will be determined at the conclusion” of their own investigation, per a spokesperson who did not comment on his conviction.

During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Rogers as a gambling addict burdened by mounting debts, using his knowledge as a law enforcement officer to carry out the robberies.

Casino employees who encountered Rogers during the heists testified in the trial, expressing the lasting impact and trauma caused by the robberies.

Rogers’ younger brother, Josiah Rogers, also testified against him, describing their involvement in the first casino heist and the subsequent events.

Josiah, who was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony, detailed their preparations and actions during the robbery, claiming he took his $30,000 cut from the job and returned home to Columbus, Ohio.

Caleb Rogers was ultimately apprehended following the pivotal third robbery in 2022, outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Security guards tackled him as he was exiting the casino, sending a wig he’d been wearing flying off his head. Video footage of the incident showed him identifying himself as a police officer as he was put into the back of a patrol car.

With News Wire Services