GUILTY KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #5 *arrest in 2023* Brooks Houck on Trial

[KateB]

Bardstown Police looking for missing woman Crystal Rogers

Authorities in Nelson Co. are looking for a woman who has been missing since Friday afternoon.

The Nelson County Sheriff's Office issued a statement asking for those who may know the whereabouts of 35-year-old Crystal M. Rogers.

Roger's vehicle was found on Bluegrass Pkwy. with the keys in the ignition and her belongings inside.

(July 6 Press conference Nelson County Sheriff's Office. Nelson County Gazette Youtube)

Nancy Grace Show 7/8/2015

Transcripts:
CNN.com - Transcripts
KY - KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #1
KY - KY - Crystal Rogers, 35, Bluegrass Parkway, 3 July 2015 #1

FBI's Crystal Rogers Task Force

Bardstown Police Department: Open letter from Chief Rick McCubbin

Crystal Rogers Facebook

Pray for Crystal's Safe Return Facebook group

Crystal Rogers Media Thread *NO DISCUSSION*

Thread #1
Thread @2
Thread #3
Thread #4

 

[Knitty]

Please continue here.

 

[fred&edna]

can someone remind me... were charges filed and penalties imposed on those who recorded the grand jury proceedings.

 

[Gigiky]

I believe I heard or read something about the statue of limitations running out.I think the recordings were discovered ealy on but only came in to question in 2023. If memory serves me correctly. JMO

 

[Niner]

For Steve Lawson sentencing hearing on 8/6/25 @ 3pm
and for Houcks & J. Lawson sentencing on 8/21/25 @ 1pm

 

[Kudzuu]

can someone remind me... were charges filed and penalties imposed on those who recorded the grand jury proceedings.

I Don't think so....not yet. The last I heard was LE has the rifle that killed Tommy B. And it checks 4 of 5 boxes needed to be THE gun that killed him. Lots of talk about recording the grand jury to keep their stories straight. Moo.

Links are upthread. I posted one the other day.

 

[fred&edna]

would be interesting to know how much the houck family has already spent on legal representation... and how much more it's going to likely cost them in the future. i can't help but laugh when i think about it. jmo

also, my thanks for the replies to my question regarding the grand jury recordings

 

[pittsburghgirl]

would be interesting to know how much the houck family has already spent on legal representation... and how much more it's going to likely cost them in the future. i can't help but laugh when i think about it. jmo

also, my thanks for the replies to my question regarding the grand jury recordings

If it's true that we're beyond the statute of limitations on the recording, the recordings can at least be used in court against them. For sure--consciousness of guilt.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Jail phone calls from Brooks Houck prompt temporary injunction to stop him from selling assets

A temporary injunction has been granted to stop Brooks Houck, one of the men convicted in Crystal Rogers' death, from selling his assets.

www.wlky.com

July 28, 2025

A temporary injunction has been granted to stop Brooks Houck, one of the men convicted in Crystal Rogers' death, from selling his assets.

*****
In a motion filed on July 18, several of Rogers' family members requested an injunction to stop Houck from selling, transferring, or liquidating any of his assets.

According to the filing, Rogers' family became "aware from multiple sources" that Houck and his business partners were actively trying to sell or transfer assets "to shield them from any judgement that may be awarded in this action."

This is in reference to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Rogers' family back in 2023.

*****

 

[LookingForClues]

According to the article, Brooks had jail phone conversations with his mother, brother and sister about selling things off. This family is unbelievable.

Also from link: "Houck owns three companies, along with 83 properties in Nelson County, with an estimated value of $8.5 million, according to the motion."

Jail phone calls from Brooks Houck prompt temporary injunction to stop him from selling assets

A temporary injunction has been granted to stop Brooks Houck, one of the men convicted in Crystal Rogers' death, from selling his assets.

www.wlky.com

Crystal's family is fortunate someone felt it was important to share these conversations with them.

 

[Kudzuu]

IMO , the response to the conviction shows how the good people of Bardstown feel about that family.

 

[Gigiky]

I'm pretty sure he knows that's illegal. He was just trying to beat the clock.And he failed! Ha!
JMO

 

[Niner]

Brooks Houck’s sister petitions for full custody of Houck’s son

Brooks Houck’s sister is petitioning the court for full custody of Houck’s son, whom he shared with Crystal Rogers.

www.wave3.com

July 31, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Brooks Houck’s sister is petitioning the court for full custody of Houck’s son, whom he shared with Crystal Rogers.

Rhonda McIlvoy filed the paperwork earlier this month.

According to court documents, she’s had temporary custody of the 12-year-old child and now wants to make it permanent.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

I hope Sherry Ballard petitions for a guardian ad litem for her grandson and some form of reconciliation process leading to at least visitation.

 

[karenky]

LEX News obtained the audio recordings of Brooks phone calls after he was convicted. You may have to click on the arrow button at the top right hand side of the page next to the audio speaker to get it to play.


28K views · 135 reactions | After Brooks Houck was conviction on the count of murder - principal or accomplice and tampering with physical evidence in the Crystal Rogers case, he made multiple calls from the Warren County Detention Center. LEX 18 obtained his phone calls from jail. Further, an emergency order from a judge halted Houck from trying to sell or transfer his properties until an evidentiary hearing on October 8. | LEX 18

 

[Gigiky]

Brooks Houck’s sister petitions for full custody of Houck’s son

Brooks Houck’s sister is petitioning the court for full custody of Houck’s son, whom he shared with Crystal Rogers.

www.wave3.com

July 31, 2025

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Brooks Houck’s sister is petitioning the court for full custody of Houck’s son, whom he shared with Crystal Rogers.

Rhonda McIlvoy filed the paperwork earlier this month.

According to court documents, she’s had temporary custody of the 12-year-old child and now wants to make it permanent.

The sister RM was also one of the houck family members who recored the Grande Jury. Dont know if that will coome up in family court,but it should.Think it says a lot about what she knows about what happen to this childs mother.I dont think anyone in that family should have custody of the child.JMO.

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Aug 4, 2025 article - sounds like he should blame the verdict on himself, imo.

Recorded jail calls reveal Brooks Houck sounding emotional and defeated hours after his guilty verdict in Crystal Rogers murder

In a series of recorded phone calls from the Warren County Jail, Brooks Houck speaks about being found guilty in the murder of Crystal Rogers.

www.wkyt.com

[…]

During this call, Houck again sounded defeated, blaming the verdict against him on political pressure.

[…]

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, August 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 3pm ET) - KY – Crystal Maria Rogers (35) (reported missing July 3, 2015; car (with flat tire) was found July 5, 2015 on Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14 with keys in ignition & her belongings (phone & purse) in car, Bardstown). – *Steven Eugene Lawson (48 @ time of crime/53/now 54) indicted, arrested & charged (12/7/23) & arraigned (12/21/23) [indicted Dec, 2023] with conspiracy to commit murder & [indicted May, 2023] with tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. $500K Cash only bond. Bond reduced to $250K (1/9/24). He's currently incarcerated in Harrison County, IN. Lawson was serving time at the Kentucky State Reformatory for a previous conviction, but that time will be served out in the coming weeks. He was moved to the Grayson County Detention Center this morning (5/3/24) & is currently in custody. Lawson was booked Wednesday, 5/21/25 into Warren County Regional Jail for trial. Nelson County
Trial began on 5/27/25 & ended on 5/27/25 with jury selection. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (9 women & 3 men/Alternates: 1 woman & 2 men).
Trial began on 5/27/25 & prosecutors rested on 5/29/25. Defense started their case on 5/29/25 & ended 5/30/25. Trial is being held in Warren County.
Jury Deliberations: Day 1: ~2 hours & 23 minutes total. VERDICT: Guilty of both charges.
Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III presiding. Special prosecutor Shane Young & Prosecutor Jim Lesousky. Defense attorneys [public defenders] Darren Wolff & Zach Buckler.
Case & Court info from 12/7/23 thru 5/13/25 & Jury Selection & Trial Day 1-3 (5/27-5/29/25) reference post #757 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...y-3-july-2015-4-arrest-in-2023.690447/page-38
5/30/25 Friday, Trial Day 4: Defense witnesses: Barbara Jane Coulter, Steve Lawson's mother. Steve Lawson.
*Defense have rested their case.
*The judge has given jury instructions & closing arguments are set to begin at 11am. Following closing arguments, the jury will then begin deliberating.
*Closing arguments by prosecutor Jim Lesousky & defense attorney Darren Wolff.
*Jury deliberated for about 2 hours 23 minutes. Lawson was found guilty on both charges, conspiracy to commit murder & tampering with physical evidence. The jury recommended Lawson to 17 years in prison & the formal sentencing is scheduled for 8/6/25.
6/5/25 Update: Lawson is asking for a new trial less than a week after a jury found him guilty of all charges related to his role in Crystal’s disappearance. In court documents filed Wednesday, Lawson’s attorney argued he wasn’t given adequate preparation time for the trial because of the “uniquely overwhelming volume of discover(y) in this case.” “Discovery included over 400,000 pages of written documents & hundreds (if not thousands) of hours of audio & video recording, as well as supplemental discovery provided during 2024 & 2025,” according to the court document. It continues on to say that while there was some assistance from the court, they were still unable to prepare an adequate defense & that Lawson “barely scratched the surface of his own discovery.” The motion also cited errors involving DNA testing & failures of jury instruction.
*Brooks William Houck (33 @ time of crime/41/now 43) – Found guilty of all charges [7/8/25]. Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25.
*Joseph Stephen Lee Allen Lawson (24 @ time of crime/32/now 34) – Found guilty of all charges [7/8/25]. Sentencing hearing on 8/21/25.

 

[arielilane]

@AlexisWLKY


#BREAKING: Steve Lawson has just been formally sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in Crystal Rogers’ murder. Lawson was convicted of conspiracy and tampering with physical evidence back in May.
He’s the first of three defendants to be sentenced in court @WLKY

https://twitter.com/x/status/1953174838052593686

 

[arielilane]

If Lawson chooses to appeal, he has to file the appeal within 30 days, LEX 18 reported.

Steven Lawson sentenced to 17 years in prison in Crystal Rogers case

Steven Lawson was sentenced after he was found guilty by a jury in Bowling Green of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence for his role in Crystal Rogers' presumed death.

www.lex18.com

Brooks Houck was convicted of murder (principal or accomplice to the crime) and tampering with physical evidence. Houck and Joseph Lawson are scheduled to be formally sentenced August 21.