Former University Professor Convicted in Federal Court for Child Exploitation and Attempted Enticement Case Involving Undercover Operation

A federal bench trial in the Eastern District of California has resulted in the conviction of Rodger Githens, 48, of West Sacramento, on charges of attempted enticement of a minor and receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The verdict follows a detailed investigation that centered on online communications, encrypted messaging platforms, and the exchange of illicit material involving minors.

The case was adjudicated before U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake, who found Githens guilty after reviewing the full evidentiary record. The conviction concludes a prosecution built on digital forensic analysis, undercover engagement, and the recovery of electronic communications that established both intent and active participation in prohibited conduct.

According to court records, Githens initiated contact in March 2023 using an online profile on a social platform, where he engaged with an account operated by an undercover law enforcement agent. During the early stages of communication, Githens directed the conversation to Telegram, an encrypted messaging application, citing its perceived security advantages. The transition to a secondary platform is consistent with patterns observed in cases where individuals seek to reduce traceability and operate outside standard moderation environments.

Once communication shifted platforms, Githens expressed explicit intent and engaged in detailed discussions involving a fictional minor presented by the undercover agent. Prosecutors established that Githens not only described intended acts but also explored logistical aspects of meeting in person, including travel to Fresno, California. These communications formed the basis for the attempted enticement charge, demonstrating a progression from online interaction to planned physical engagement.

On April 19, 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant at Githens’s residence, resulting in the seizure of multiple electronic devices. A forensic review of those devices uncovered extensive Telegram communications, including exchanges involving the distribution and commentary on videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The presence of this material, combined with Githens’s active participation in its exchange, supported the charges related to receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The case highlights the continued use of layered digital platforms in exploitation-related offenses, where initial contact occurs on widely used applications before transitioning to encrypted environments designed to obscure activity. This operational shift complicates detection efforts and requires coordinated investigative techniques combining undercover operations, digital tracing, and forensic recovery.

Githens had previously been employed as a university professor and had served as a consultant to multiple academic institutions. His professional background introduces an additional dimension of concern, particularly in cases where individuals in positions of trust are found to be engaging in conduct that targets minors.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the West Sacramento Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa and McKenzie Hightower of the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 20, 2026. Githens faces a statutory range of five to 20 years in prison for the child sexual abuse material charge and 10 years to life for the attempted enticement charge. Additional penalties may include fines of up to $250,000 per count and a lifetime term of supervised release. Final sentencing will be determined by the court following consideration of federal sentencing guidelines and applicable statutory factors.

This case forms part of broader federal enforcement efforts targeting the online exploitation of minors, where investigative strategies continue to evolve in response to the increasing use of encrypted communication platforms and digital distribution networks.

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