MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Southaven Police Department says one of its own has been arrested for trying to solicit explicit pictures from a child.
Saturday morning, Southaven Police announced Officer Harold “Tad” Rogers was arrested by the Hernando Police Department.
The Hernando Police Department says Rogers was arrested at around 7:30 p.m. Friday.
According to Hernando Police, Rogers had been involved in sexually explicit conversations with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl for several days. Rogers had actually been talking to an undercover Hernando Police officer.
Hernando Police say Rogers tried to solicit explicit pictures from the undercover officer.
Rogers has been charged with one count of enticement of a child to produce sexually explicit pictures. He is expected to make his first appearance in court Monday morning.
Southaven Police say Rogers is currently suspended. He’s been employed with the police department since August 2021.
No one in law enforcement would talk to WREG about this case, but we did hear from experts like Chief Executive Officer at For Kids’ Sake Dr. Denise Richardson on how they say children can be exploited.
For Kids’ Sake advocates against child sexual abuse and domestic minor sex trafficking in our communities and online.
“Some of my colleagues, they’re predators. They’re counselors. They’re teachers. You find them every career anywhere they can gain access to children; they will do it,” Dr. Richardson said. “I know some people will say your children need privacy and, in these days, and times, privacy is one thing, but being parent who encourages privacy as well as knowing you have a right to know what your child’s browsing history is.”
Captain Len Edwards with the Commission of Missing and Exploited Children emailed WREG this statement saying “I can tell you that there are no limits that predators will go to entice a child for exploitation. Now with the internet predators can target multiple victims at the same time. Parents, know who your child is in communication with.”
Dr. Richardson agreed and said parents need to know who their children are talking to.
“We need to vet those our children are in contact with. If we don’t know them up close and person, the repercussions behind children being trafficked or molested is a lot to reel from,” she said.
The Southaven police chief told WREG Monday that Rogers has been suspended and his employment status will likely be discussed Tuesday night during the Southaven Mayor and board of alderman meeting.
Rogers’ next court appearance is set for Monday, November 15th.
