MARCH 28, 2023
Cheryl Rogers Sentenced for Felony Theft by Deception and Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Adult
Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Cheryl Rogers, age 35, of Keene, pleaded guilty and has been sentenced in the Cheshire County Superior Court to one class A felony count of theft by deception and one class A felony count of financial exploitation of an elderly adult.
An investigation by the Keene Police Department revealed that between June 8, 2020, and August 18, 2021, Ms. Rogers utilized a mobile telephone application to obtain free local telephone numbers. Ms. Rogers used one telephone number to send text messages to E.L., a local Keene man, pretending to be her father, W.R. While posing as her father, Ms. Rogers falsely told E.L. that Ms. Rogers had cancer and needed money for treatment. Ms. Rogers deceived E.L. into believing that he would be reimbursed for money paid to Ms. Rogers.
Further, between July 1, 2021, and August 18, 2021, Ms. Rogers used another telephone number to send text messages to E.L., pretending to be a financial institution representative. She told E.L. that E.L. would be subject to criminal charges and other legal action if E.L. failed to pay money to Ms. Rogers. In total, Ms. Rogers unlawfully obtained $45,499 from E.L.
On the theft by deception charge, the Court sentenced Ms. Rogers to serve 12 months in the House of Corrections, stand committed, and ordered her to pay $45,499 in restitution to E.L. On the financial exploitation charge, the Court sentenced Ms. Rogers to serve 3 ½ – 7 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, all of which is suspended for 10 years. As conditions of her suspended sentence, Ms. Rogers must pay restitution and participate in drug treatment court, if accepted. She is prohibited from caring for elderly or vulnerable adults and may not serve as a fiduciary for any person. The Court also sentenced Ms. Rogers to serve 5 years’ probation.
The case was investigated by the Keene Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Townsend, II, of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit of the Attorney General’s Office, and Attorney Zachary Frish of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau. If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, please contact your local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).
