Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A former postdoctoral scholar at a local university, Dylan Kelby Rogers, 39, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for the distribution and receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced Thursday, September 18, 2025, by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, following a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that they warrant swift and severe punishment due to the sexual exploitation of minors. He noted that victims are re-victimized each time these horrific images and videos are shared. Heekin commended the investigative work of law enforcement partners and reaffirmed his office’s commitment to prosecuting those who victimize children.
Details of the Investigation and Sentencing
Court documents reveal that the investigation began in December 2024, when Rogers reported to the Tallahassee Police Department that he was being extorted online. During an interview with a federal agent, Rogers admitted to watching child pornography on an online application and showed the agent a folder on his cell phone containing several child pornography videos.
Law enforcement subsequently seized Rogers’s cell phone for a forensic examination. The search uncovered more than 30 illegal videos and evidence of Rogers’s communications with other online users regarding child pornography. These findings led to his conviction for distribution and receipt of child pornography.
Following his release from prison, Rogers will face a lifetime term of supervised release. This condition means any violation of his supervision terms could result in additional incarceration. Furthermore, Rogers has been ordered to pay restitution to victims and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Law Enforcement Statements
Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department reiterated the department’s dedication to bringing offenders to justice in cases involving child exploitation, highlighting the importance of strong partnerships. Nicholas Ingegno, Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge, described Rogers’s actions as a “deeply disturbing betrayal of trust.”
Ingegno stressed that child exploitation is a societal challenge requiring vigilance, education, and collaboration across all sectors. He affirmed HSI’s unwavering commitment, alongside its partners, to combat child exploitation, bring offenders to justice, and safeguard children.
Prosecution and Collaborative Effort
The case was a collaborative effort between the Tallahassee Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted the case, underscoring the interagency commitment to addressing these serious offenses.
