Judge finds probable cause in A-town eavesdropping case

A Knox County judge found probable cause this afternoon in the case of Abingdon-Avon Director of Technology Mark Rogers, who has been charged with three counts of felony eavesdropping.

Rogers has been on paid administrative leave for months. During that time, District 276 school board members have sought an investigation into a data breach where student grade point averages were allegedly changed without authorization. 

Abingdon Police Chief Kenneth Jones took the stand today in Knox County Circuit Court. Jones testified that on Feb 11th, Rogers recorded, via his computer webcam, a conversation with Assistant Director of Technology Drew Witherall that took place without consent. 

One charge is based on the conversation. The following two counts are based on Rogers allegedly intercepting certain staff e-mails between January 29th and February 5th. 

When asked by Rogers’ attorney Elisa Nelson if the conversation included discussion of former Superintendent Chad Willis or any school board members, Jones said “no” and that general “work related items were all that was discussed.” 

Rogers pleaded not guilty to all three counts and entered a demand for a jury trial. Judge Stephen Mathers granted the demand and set a pre-trial conference date for September 6th at 9 a.m. The jury trial will follow the week of September 19th.

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