A man from Chicago has been arrested and charged with sexually exploiting a 14-year-old minor from Massachusetts, according to federal authorities.
Joshua Rogers, 30, faces one count of sexual exploitation of children. He was taken into custody in Chicago and is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to charging documents, the investigation began in July 2025 when Brookline law enforcement received a report about an individual using Snapchat who claimed to be a 17-year-old boy named “John.” Authorities allege that this person was actually Rogers. A review of cell phone data reportedly uncovered explicit communications in which Rogers coerced the minor into engaging in sexually explicit acts and demanded documentation through photos or videos. The documents also state that Rogers discussed kidnapping the minor or having her run away.
If convicted, Rogers could face between 15 and 30 years in prison, at least five years up to life on supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division; and Chief Jennifer Paster of the Brookline Police Department announced the charges. The FBI’s Chicago Field Office provided assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm is prosecuting the case as Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and member of the Major Crimes Unit.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to apprehend offenders and help victims. More information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Authorities emphasized that “the details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.”