Havasu Educator Sentenced to 210 Days in Jail for Inappropriate Relationship with Teenage Runaway

Robyn Rogers, a former school teacher from Lake Havasu City, was sentenced on September 20 in Mohave County Superior Court for engaging in a sexual relationship with a runaway teenager. The 44-year-old Rogers visibly struggled as she apologized to Judge Lee Jantzen, expressing profound remorse for her actions.

“I’m incredibly sorry for what I’ve done,” she stated tearfully. “I made a terrible mistake with consequences that I will face for the rest of my life.” Within her apology, she acknowledged the extensive fallout that affected her family, friends, former colleagues, and students, as well as the community at large, stemming from her actions.

Rogers, who had been employed at Telesis Preparatory Academy until the allegations emerged, lamented her loss of trust within the community and a career she cherished for over two decades. “I’ll never again have the career I’ve loved for more than 20 years,” she remarked, noting her estrangement from the city that once embraced her.

She pleaded guilty to charges involving sexual conduct with a minor. During the proceedings, the victim’s father voiced his discontent with the legal consequences, suggesting that a male teacher would likely face harsher punishment in a similar scenario.

The court heard how the victim first encountered Rogers when he was 15, during a troubled time at home that led to Rogers receiving temporary custody of him. The familial situation deteriorated, resulting in the boy experiencing substance abuse, mental health challenges, and transient living conditions, ultimately drawing him back to Rogers.

Prosecutor Carlos Lopez highlighted how Rogers exploited the victim’s vulnerability, asserting that she took advantage of his need for affection. In rebuttal, defense attorney Bob Heieck countered that Rogers did not exhibit predatory behavior, suggesting her intentions stemmed from a genuine desire to help.

Judge Jantzen condemned Rogers for breaching the trust associated with her role as an educator and the temporary “pseudo-parent” status she held. “This is a case where a young man has been violated,” he concluded, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

As part of a plea deal, Rogers was spared from prison time, receiving a seven-month jail sentence coupled with lifetime probation, which includes mandatory registration as a sex offender.