Dishonorably Discharged Sex Offender Stalked Batavia Victim He Saw On Social Media: Police

BATAVIA, IL — A registered sex offender who lives in Yorkville was caught stalking someone he had found on social media, Batavia police said Friday.

Tavian Douglas-Rogan, 27, was dishonorably discharged from the Navy after he was convicted of attempted rape and attempted sexual assault. Now he's facing new charges, including stalking and attempted burglary, according to police.

At about 2:40 a.m. on Aug. 13, officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Clybourne Street for a report of a suspicious person. The caller said they saw a shadow and a flashlight beam outside their window, according to a news release.

Officers watched the man run through the backyard and later found him in the 0-99 block of Saratoga Drive.

Officers made contact with the man, who voluntarily spoke with police, officials said. Officers saw he had vegetation debris on his clothing and wet shoes, covered in grass, consistent with someone who had been running through wet yards.

The man identified himself as Douglas-Rogan, according to officials. Police confirmed he was listed on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.

Police determined Douglas-Rogan had been at the victim’s home, looking into the windows. The victim didn’t know Douglas-Rogan, but he had watched the person on social media, researched them and discovered their address, officials said.

Police took Douglas-Rogan into custody. According to officials, investigators obtained several search warrants and found he had purchased burglary tools hours before the incident. He was charged with attempted residential burglary; stalking, cause fear for safety; and possession of burglary tools.

Douglas-Rogan was taken to the Kane County jail to await bond call.

"I commend the quick actions of responding officers, whose thorough efforts prevented what could have been a violent and life‑altering crime," Deputy Chief Gary La Barbera said in a statement. "This is an excellent example of the exemplary work these officers do every day.” The Batavia Police Department is grateful for the prompt and professional support provided by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office."

Convicted At Military Trial

Douglas-Rogan, a former Navy officer, was court-martialed in Germany and sentenced in March 2024 to 39 months confinement and dishonorable discharge.

According to an unsuccessful appeal, after his girlfriend "rebuffed him," he targeted her roommate, gained access to her room and attempted to assault her as she slept.

He is required to register as a sex offender in all 50 states.

According to his appeal, Douglas-Rogan asked for leniency, saying, "I ask you to consider that even after turning myself in, the consequences of my actions will be there for the rest of my life. Under federal law I have to register as a sex offender. That law requires that my name, address, face and conviction will forever be online for the world to see. My life will never be the same. Every job I apply for, they’ll know what I’ve done. Landlords will hesitate to give me a job — give me a lease, excuse me. I’ll have limitations for housing, employment, education, and be judged by society forever."