Police: Martin man, 35, filmed sex with girl, 16
16-year-old runaway from St. Lucie met man, 35, on Kik app.
Deputies also say Joshua Rogers met the teenager on the Kik app, gave her drugs and helped her run away from St. Lucie County.
STUART — A Martin County man is accused of giving drugs to a 16-year-old girl heme ton social media and recording their sexual encounters after he allegedly helped the teen run away from home.
Joshua Rogers, 35, of Stuart was arrested on one count of interference with child custody. He remained at the Martin County Jail on Friday with his bail set at $275,000.
Rogers was taken into custody Wednesday after Martin County deputies found him and the teen in the parking lot of a coffee shop on Southeast Federal Highway in Stu- art. The girl was reported missing from her home in St. Lucie County on Sept. 3.
After being found, she reportedly told deputies she had been staying with Rog- ers after running away from home. The teen said she met Rogers on the online social media application Kik. The girl reportedly told Rogers she wanted to leave home because of domestic problems. Rogers offered to let the teen stay with him, the sheriff ’s office said.
Deputies say Rogers gave the teen marijuana and methamphetamine. He began a sexual relationship with her, recording their encounters on his cellphone, according to the arrest report.
The age of sexual consent in Florida is 18. Those ages 16 and 17 can legally engage in sexual activity only with someone age 23 or younger. No one under the age of 16 can give consent under any circumstance.
After he was taken into custody, Rogers reportedly admitted to meeting the teen through social media about three or four months ago. He also admitted to picking her up at a McDonald’s in Jensen Beach about three weeks ago.
He denied that there was any sexual activity. When confronted with the teen’s statements, Rogers requested an attorney.