Friday, January 2, 2024 - On Wednesday, January 31, jurors in Sequoyah County found Darrell Wayne Rogers (pictured above) guilty of First-Degree Rape, Sodomy, and Sexual Battery of an 89-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease.
The victim had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2022. According to law enforcement reports, her family installed cameras in her home after she had fallen and was on the floor for an extended period of time. Family members had wanted to monitor her safety and well-being.
However, when some of the recordings from June and July of 2023 were viewed, some unexpected and disturbing images of Rogers’ actions were discovered. One of the victim's children contacted Sallisaw Police Detective Jeff Craghead to report the sexual abuse.
Detective Craghead, accompanied by Sequoyah County Deputies Duelly and Rigsby, arrested Rogers on July 21, 2023, and took him to the Sallisaw Police Department, where he was interviewed and admitted to multiple sexual acts with the elderly woman.
“I definitely want to commend the officers who participated in the investigation,” said Janet Hutson, the Assistant District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “Detective Craghead deserves recognition for the wonderful job he did in the investigation and interrogation of Mr. Rogers.”
Rogers was charged in Sequoyah County with one count of Sexual Battery, one count of Sodomy (Victim Mentally Incapacitated), and one count of Rape in the First Degree (Victim of Unsound Mind).
At the close of the jury trial on Wednesday, Rogers was found guilty on each count and jurors recommended he receive the maximum sentence of ten (10) years for Sexual Battery, twenty (20) years for Sodomy, and life in prison for Rape.
“It was an honor to work with such a diligent jury in Sequoyah County, who brought justice to the family,” declared Hutson.
“I am thankful to the jury for their commitment to justice,” said District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp. “The facts of this case were disturbing, but the jurors did their duty and reached a just decision based on the evidence presented at the trial. "
The trial was presided over by Associate District Judge Kyle Waters. Rogers will appear in court next for formal sentencing
KXMX Staff Writer
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