APPLETON, Wis. — A judge called a 74-year-old driving instructor “creepy” during the instructor’s initial court appearance Wednesday. The instructor, Charles Rodgers, was arrested Tuesday for child enticement and attempted sexual assault of a student in Appleton.
According to a criminal complaint, a high school student told police that Rodgers made inappropriate comments and touched her inappropriately during driving lessons. The victim stated this happened when she was fifteen years old, according to the complaint.
The criminal complaint says at first, the student was scared to come forward, but changed her mind when she learned that Rodgers allegedly sent her friend a late-night text that simply stated “hi.” The complaint says the victim did not want other people to go through what she did.
After her driving lessons were over, the complaint says Rodgers wrote the victim a letter. The complaint transcribes the letter as follows:
I love you so much that I am a wreck. I want you to be my girlfriend and me your boyfriend exclusively. I want to start right away. I think you are hung up on our age difference. I don’t think it is a problem. Just open your heart and let me in. I will love you take care of you and give you anything you want. Even give you the smart mobile. This is a mature decision and will be forever. It is not a school boy crush. The guys including your boyfriend just want in your pants so they can talk about it. Then will eventually just walk away. I will be there forever. If you don’t want to let me in then I will leave you alone. I don’t want to but I will. I can’t take being near you but can’t have you. If you change your mind just call. Hopefully you will really think about it before you decide. Remember how much I really love you. You probably don’t even care or like me. If you don’t that’s OK. Just let me know. Then my tattoo will have a meaning.
Love, Chuck
According to the complaint, the victim also told police that Rodgers texted her. A police officer assumed the victim’s identity and conversed with Rodgers. The complaint says Rodgers eventually messaged the victim to meet him at a liquor store, so he could pick her up for sex. Police met Rodgers at the store and arrested him.
Rodgers made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon where the judge in his case called Rodgers “creepy” and a “danger to the public”. Rogers is facing multiple charges, including child enticement and attempted sexual assault. He could get up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
A cash bond has been set at $20,000. Rodgers will be back in court March 21st.
Authorities say Rodgers is employed by Tri-County Driving School, which contracts with area schools and provides driver’s education for students. NBC26 reached out to Tri County Driving School on Wednesday, but the school said they did not want to comment.
