Aspen yoga teacher convicted of groping students

By The AP
Wednesday, September 15, 2010

ASPEN — An Aspen yoga teacher has been found guilty of groping two of his female students during class.

A jury convicted 49-year-old Steven Jon Roger Tuesday night on two misdemeanor charges of unlawful sexual contact. He faces up to three years in prison and must register as a sex offender.

The Aspen Times and the Aspen Daily News reported the trial included emotional testimony from the women accusing Roger, as well as former students who defended him and maintained they’d never seen him do anything wrong.

Roger was accused of putting his hands down the pants of two women as they performed poses. Live yoga demonstrations were part of the courtroom testimony.

Roger denied the accusations.

He’s scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 26.