This eventually led the FBI to a small town in Ohio where Rogers was the prime suspect. Agents traveled to the area and began surveillance. They were looking for an opportunity to get his DNA to confirm their suspect was the letter writer.
After work as a nurse’s assistant Rogers ate at an Arby’s. And the FBI were able to extract his DNA from a discarded straw.
He was arrested the next day in November 2019. And last week’s conviction is the first-time genetic genealogy has solved a federal case.
Stalker sentenced
Rogers was sentenced last week in the U.S. District Court for Central California. He received a 40-month prison sentence from Judge John A. Kronstadt. After he is released, he will serve three years of supervised probation.
At his sentencing through a video link from Ohio, Rogers said he is receiving mental health treatment. And apologized claiming to accept “full responsibility.’
“I forgive you, but I cannot forget,” LaRue told her stalker at the sentencing, “The fear is with me forever.”
