Chicago Man Pleads Guilty To Exploitation Of Brookline Teen

BROOKLINE, MA — A Chicago man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl from Brookline, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Joshua Rogers, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children. The guilty plea comes months after federal authorities announced Rogers had been charged with targeting a Brookline teen through Snapchat while posing as a 17-year-old boy named "John."

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According to court documents, local law enforcement became aware of the communications in July 2025. Investigators later reviewed cellphone data and allegedly uncovered numerous messages in which Rogers coerced the Brookline girl into engaging in sexually explicit acts. Prosecutors said Rogers frequently demanded that the acts be documented through photos and videos.

Authorities also alleged that Rogers discussed the possibility of kidnapping the girl or having her run away from home during their online conversations.

Rogers was arrested in Chicago in December 2025 following a joint investigation involving Brookline police and federal authorities. He later appeared in federal court in Boston, where he ultimately admitted to the charge rather than proceeding to trial.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled Rogers' sentencing for Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years. Rogers also faces at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, as well as a possible fine of up to $250,000.

Brookline Police Chief Jennifer Paster joined federal officials in announcing the guilty plea. The FBI's Chicago Field Office also assisted with the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit.

The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and to identify and prosecute individuals who use the internet to target minors.

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