After taking more than $41,000 from the Arrowcats organization, a Class C felony, Melissa Rogers was sentenced to seven years in prison by Judge Jamus Redd Wednesday morning in Trigg County Circuit Court — remanded into custody following the decision.
The ruling comes one month after she pleaded guilty to the crime.
Opposed to future shock probation, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Chad Nelson sought the full penalty.
Rogers’ attorney, John Johnson III, said his client “didn’t have a good explanation” for her actions, but did offer several statements in mitigation, noting:
— She needed help in some sort of manner.
— She had a limited criminal record, mostly tied to traffic offenses.
— She made some payments toward the debt over the last few months, but lost a job she truly enjoyed due to case publicity.
— And she had since landed a “pretty good” part-time job that had the potential of becoming full-time.
Johnson also said he understood if the court “wanted to send a message,” but that Rogers also wanted to complete the restitution.
Rogers reaffirmed this herself.
Class C felonies can result in a prison term of 5-to-10 years, and as part of her May plea deal, Rogers can never again serve in a booster club role for Trigg County Schools.
A felony status can also impact typical rights afforded to law-abiding citizens.
