Arrested by federal agents in Cambodia, defendant appears for sentencing in St. George – St George News

Composite image with background photo of District Judge John J. Walton during District Court hearing with overlaid booking photo of 57-year-old Philip Alan Rogers of Davis County, booking photo taken in Washington County on February 2, 2024 | Booking photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – A northern Utah man arrested in February with a runaway child in Washington County appeared for sentencing in St. George. The fugitive was later arrested in Cambodia by U.S. Marshals Service agents in April.

On June 18, the defendant, 58-year-old Philip Alan Rogers of Davis County, appeared in 5th District Court for sentencing on a third-degree felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person with impaired mobility. He pleaded guilty in February. Two misdemeanors, harboring a runaway and possession of marijuana, were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

The gun case was initiated in February by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office after Rogers was found with a firearm and THC on the evening of Feb. 3 while also harboring a runaway, according to charging documents filed at the time of the arrest.

At the time of the arrest, a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling south on Interstate 15 near the Sunriver exit in St. George, shortly after the Layton City Police Department issued a statewide alert to all law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for a missing and at-risk juvenile who may have been traveling through the Southern Utah area.

The minor is believed to have fled with a man who is not related to the teen. Authorities learned the suspect was traveling south toward Las Vegas, Nevada, in a light-colored Chevrolet Tahoe registered to Rogers, who was already under investigation in the case.

Rogers and the minor were spotted on surveillance cameras at a local restaurant. Outside, Rogers refused to talk to police about the teen. During a search of the Rogers’ vehicle, officers recovered a badge and a handgun, and he was booked into jail on the charges in Washington County.

Request and release on the ankle bracelet

The defendant remained in custody until February 22, when he pleaded guilty to the weapons offense and was released from jail following a hearing. Later that day, he was placed in an ankle monitor until sentencing, which was scheduled for the following month.

Less than 24 hours later, the surveillance company received a tamper alert indicating that the device may have been cut or removed and the GPS signal was lost after the device was turned off. Rogers later sent a text message explaining that he had left the United States and flown to Cambodia – and sent a photo of his plane ticket.

He also informed the parole officer that he intended to live in the Philippines and not return to the United States “in order to avoid prosecution and/or incarceration,” the activation report states.

Rogers remained at large for more than a month before being taken into federal custody in late April. He has been in prison since his arrest.

The judgment

During sentencing last week, prosecutor Tyler Bonzo said the state’s position was consistent with recommendations in the pretrial report that the defendant should be sent to prison.

The prosecutor went on to say that despite his lack of prior convictions, Rogers “seems to have done everything he can to show that parole is not an option for him,” Bonzo added. “He was found with a minor runaway, a 17-year-old girl, and he also had a firearm, marijuana and a condom with him.”

Rogers said he was unaware of the illegality of his actions, which the prosecutor found “incredible” given that Rogers was a former police officer.

As St. George News reported in February, Rogers was employed as a deputy with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office until his resignation in May 2012. According to information from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy, the council revoked Rogers’ police certification for one year following a review conducted on December 3, 2012.

The prosecutor further stated that even after Rogers’ release, the defendant cut his ankle bracelet and fled to Cambodia. The state would then have to coordinate with the U.S. Marshal’s Office to bring him back to Washington County so he can appear in court for sentencing, the prosecutor added.

Rogers’ defense attorney, Michael Laztowski, said mentioning his client’s previous police career could put him at risk while serving any sentence he may receive.

Regarding his client’s flight abroad, Laztowski said Rogers had sent him an email and was working with the defense attorney to return to the country, but was arrested by federal agents beforehand.

“He was afraid and ran away,” said Laztowski. “There’s no question about that. But I don’t think that justifies a prison sentence.”

The defendant said his actions were partly because he was “so stressed and anxious,” but added that he had without disrespect for the criminal justice system.

Regarding his departure from the country, Rogers said: “I did something colossally stupid and I deeply regret my actions.”

Judge’s verdict

District Judge John J. Walton, who presided over the hearing, said the defendant’s previous police career was a “legitimate” part of the story, as was the fact that Rogers left the country after entering his confession in court, which was “bizarre to say the least.”

The judge further said that although no charges were pending against the defendant in connection with the juvenile at the time of the hearing, the fact that Rogers was with a out of control dandruff Light on the circumstances of the defendant’s actions after his arrest.

“This is as bizarre as his escape from justice,” Walton added.

The judge said imposing a prison sentence in a case that the court would find difficult to decide would not give him sleepless nights.

“But I’m also a little torn about the decision to send Mr. Rogers to prison even though he has no criminal record,” Walton said.

In the end, the 0-5 year prison sentence in this case was suspended. Rogers was sentenced to 270 days in jail with credit for time already served and 36 months of probation with adult probation requirements. He was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and pay a $353 fine and other standard probation requirements.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other law enforcement agencies and may not contain the full extent of the findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or until a trial judge determines otherwise.

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