An Oregon father has been sentenced to more than 45 years in prison after being convicted of repeatedly abusing his young son, including using a Taser as punishment. Prosecutors said the abuse occurred over multiple days and was captured on surveillance video inside the family’s home.
Brandon Rogers Convicted on Nearly 60 Charges
Brandon Rogers, 45, was sentenced on Friday after a jury found him guilty earlier this month on nearly 60 criminal charges.
The convictions included multiple counts of second-degree assault, first-degree criminal mistreatment, and menacing.
The case stemmed from an extensive child abuse investigation conducted by the Springfield Police Department in Oregon.
Investigation Began After Child Abuse Report
The investigation started in September 2024 after police received a report alleging abuse of a 7-year-old boy.
When officers examined the child, they found numerous injuries across his body, prompting detectives to launch a deeper investigation into the family’s home.
Initially, investigators determined that Rogers and the boy’s mother, Heather Black, 38, had shocked the child with a Taser on two separate occasions.
However, evidence later revealed that the abuse was far more extensive.
Surveillance Video Revealed Ongoing Abuse
After reviewing surveillance footage from inside the residence, investigators concluded that Rogers and Black had abused their son repeatedly over several consecutive days.
According to police, the recordings showed the boy being physically abused multiple times each day, with Rogers and Black allegedly using a Taser as well as other objects during the assaults.
Investigators also found evidence that the couple repeatedly threatened their 4-year-old daughter with the Taser, leading to additional criminal charges.
Judge Details Disturbing Punishment
During the sentencing hearing, Lane County Circuit Judge Charles Zennaché described one of the incidents shown in the surveillance footage.
According to the judge, the boy was forced to remain in a push-up position while the rest of the family ate dinner.
Whenever the exhausted child began to lower himself, Rogers allegedly shocked him with a Taser while yelling at him.
The judge said it was particularly disturbing that no adult present stepped in to stop the abuse.
Court Calls Abuse “Frankly Torture”
Judge Zennaché described Rogers’ actions as “deliberate cruelty” and said the treatment inflicted on the child amounted to “frankly torture.”
He noted that the abuse came from the very person who should have provided the child with protection, comfort, and guidance.
The court ultimately sentenced Rogers to more than 45 years in prison.
Defense Cites Violent Childhood
During the hearing, Rogers’ attorney argued that her client had experienced severe abuse while growing up.
She told the court that Rogers endured daily physical beatings from his own father during childhood.
Despite those arguments, the judge imposed the lengthy prison sentence.
Rogers has indicated that he plans to appeal the conviction and sentence.
Children Now Living With Adoptive Family
Prosecutors told the court that both children have since been adopted into a new family.
One of the adoptive parents spoke during sentencing, explaining that the children continue to suffer emotional trauma from the abuse.
The parent said the children remain afraid to admit mistakes because they fear punishment.
The adoptive parent also recalled that, about a year ago, the children would instinctively curl into a protective position whenever they accidentally dropped something because they expected to be beaten.
Emotional Statement From Adoptive Parent
Addressing Rogers directly, one of the adoptive parents told the court that the young boy had been tortured by both Rogers and Heather Black.
The parent said Rogers treated a child who viewed him as a father “like an animal” and described the abuse as worse than the treatment of a prisoner.
Mother Already Serving Prison Sentence
The boy’s mother, Heather Black, pleaded guilty last year to assault and criminal mistreatment for her role in the abuse.
She is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence.
With Rogers now sentenced, both parents have been held criminally responsible, while the two children continue rebuilding their lives with their adoptive family after enduring years of abuse.
