Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers: Statement by AtNight Creative Intelligence & One World

One World
Jul 1
10 min read

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

One World Society Corp &

AtNight Creative Intel

U.S. Press: press@oneworldmedia.com.co

Global Press: global@worldnexus.co (350–400 languages and dialects supported globally)

Phone: (844) 922-3236

Website: oneworldmedia.com.co

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Joint Statement by AtNight Creative Intelligence & One World Society

Addressed to National Media, Federal and Local Agencies, and the General Public

AtNight Creative Intelligence & One World Society Renew Urgent Call for Federal Intervention in the Disappearance of Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers

The incidents listed are just a few among many, as the situation approaches the one-year mark. AtNight and its allies only recently came to fully understand the extent of the systemic failures involved.

July 1, 2025 (FORT WORTH, TEXAS)—Sebastian Rogers (16)—last visually seen leaving the Texas Roadhouse in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on the evening of February 25, 2024—has now been missing for sixteen months. Despite unprecedented private-sector efforts, crucial leads remain unexplored, essential questions unanswered, and pervasive misinformation continues to hinder the investigation. Given these critical investigative gaps and ongoing misinformation threats, independent investigators and AtNight Creative Intelligence now urgently call for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention.

Sebastian vanished under suspicious circumstances after dining at the restaurant with his mother. At the time, he was 15 years old, approximately 5’5” tall, weighed around 120 lbs, wore a black t-shirt with Yoda, blue jeans, and had square-framed glasses. Sebastian has high-functioning autism and a rare chromosomal syndrome. Despite exhaustive searches, no confirmed trace of Sebastian has surfaced since that night.

Unprecedented Effort, Unanswered Questions

• AtNight, alongside private investigators, cyber specialists, body language and linguistic analysts, and various expert contractors, have dedicated over 500,000 analyst hours to digital forensics, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and field investigations.

In partnership with Duane “Dog” Chapman, they have contributed to a reward pool of $447,000, part of a broader total reward of $500,000.

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Key unanswered questions:

Is Sebastian alive?
Was his disappearance planned or spontaneous?
Did he leave the reported residence barefoot? Local authorities have never confirmed whether Sebastian’s shoes were recovered, despite exhaustive ground searches spanning thousands of miles, leaving his current status unknown.

No Evidence of a Runaway

Independent body-language experts who reviewed extensive footage found no indications that Sebastian intended to run away. Sebastian, who is autistic, reportedly left behind all of his shoes and his phone.

Surveillance footage captured at 3:10 a.m. on February 26, 2024, shows two unidentified individuals with flashlights behind or near the Proudfoot residence—strongly suggesting third-party involvement, especially given that his stepfather was allegedly away and his mother was reportedly asleep at the time.

Additionally, K-9 teams lost Sebastian’s scent abruptly at a roadside, a circumstance more consistent with forced vehicular transport than a voluntary departure.

Critical Ransom Tip Ignored

On June 23, 2025, AtNight’s National Tipline received a credible tip involving a $30,000 USDT cryptocurrency ransom demand, a linked digital wallet, and evidence suggesting Sebastian had been trafficked to Cancún, Mexico. Supporting documentation and screenshots indicated that payment would yield proof of life and access to a witness employed at a local hotel. AtNight immediately escalated this critical lead to the FBI, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and Sumner County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). Follow-up communications on June 23, 24, and 25 included multiple emails and a call to local authorities. The ransom demand explicitly outlined a criminal conspiracy, active threats, ransom demands, and cross-border trafficking—grounds warranting an immediate federal kidnapping investigation.

Shockingly, no agency acknowledged or acted upon this lead until a licensed investigator hired by Mr. Rogers, operating near the relevant region, intervened.

AtNight documented the lack of response in a June 25 memo, warning authorities of the severity of disregarding this federally mandated trafficking tip. Only later that day did local authorities respond, briefly stating, “Consider your tip acknowledged. The tip is being investigated by the FBI.” Since then, no further updates, clarifications, or actions have been communicated to AtNight or the tip source. The failure to properly investigate poses significant risks—if this tip was fraudulent and AtNight prematurely committed reward funds, the capacity to respond to genuine demands is compromised.

This unacceptable delay jeopardizes Sebastian’s safety. We publicly demand an explanation as to why a credible lead, suggesting he may still be alive and in danger, was not immediately prioritized.

Each day without decisive action increases the risk of permanent loss. Federal authorities must urgently acknowledge, investigate, and transparently report on their handling of this ransom tip.

The circumstances indicate kidnapping and international trafficking—crimes governed by 18 U.S.C. § 1201, with potential application under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Immediate FBI intervention is unequivocally necessary.

Forensic Lead Overlooked

On April 6, 2025, an anonymous tip labeled the “Tree House Tip” was submitted to the Sebastian Rogers Reward Tipline, consisting solely of a photo depicting a tent-like hideout with domestic items clearly visible, including a boxed water container and a blanket. Critically, the image prominently displayed an email address, presenting an immediate forensic lead. Although no metadata such as timestamps, GPS coordinates, or device information were embedded in the photo—likely deliberately removed to anonymize its origin—the visual content itself provided actionable investigative leads.

AtNight Creative Intelligence immediately conducted a detailed forensic analysis (documented as Exhibit B: “Tree House Tip Submission – Image Analysis”) recommending urgent law enforcement follow-up. This included tracing the email address, analyzing the tent and surrounding items for potential matches to known locations or missing persons cases, and preserving the image as evidence. This detailed forensic report, categorizing the tip as potentially significant and deserving escalation, was formally submitted to law enforcement authorities, including the FBI’s Rescue Me unit and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), in early April.

Despite these clear recommendations, no documented action has been taken by the SCSO or Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). To date, there has been no feedback, acknowledgment, or indication of investigative follow-through regarding this lead. The lack of action on this credible forensic tip is alarming, demonstrating a concerning and unacceptable pattern of overlooked investigative opportunities.

Misinformation Crisis

Sebastian’s case continues to be severely impacted by rampant online misinformation and inadequate communication from local authorities. Persistent false claims—such as an alleged “confirmed” February 26 sighting and unfounded “hit-and-run” theories—have proliferated online, diverting investigative resources and creating a dangerous environment. The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has contributed to confusion through reactive and inconsistent communications, allowing rumors to thrive unchecked and overshadow verified facts.

The absence of clear and timely updates has exacerbated speculation, significantly hindering the search. For example, a widely circulated false rumor that the TBI confirmed a sighting of Sebastian on February 26, 2024, was allowed to persist until AtNight pressed for clarification.

This misinformation environment has escalated into outright harassment and threats against individuals assisting the investigation. Volunteers, family members, and AtNight personnel have been subjected to doxxing, intimidation, and defamatory attacks online. In late 2024, these actions reached an alarming level, including direct death threats, a purported $100,000 bounty placed on AtNight’s investigative team, and members of Dog the Bounty Hunter’s group showing up at private residences. AtNight’s legal team also received threatening emails, some of which included photos of their spouses and children. These malicious and coordinated attacks ultimately forced AtNight and One World to file for emergency legal relief on behalf of Sebastian’s father, Seth Rogers, following the issuance of cease-and-desist letters and subsequent legal action against those responsible for orchestrating these campaigns.

Direct threats have led key volunteer groups, such as the United Cajun Navy, to withdraw from search efforts after receiving in-person and online death threats. Several AtNight contractors and volunteers have similarly exited the investigation for their safety. We unequivocally condemn these actions; no one dedicated to finding a missing child should ever face such obstruction or hostility.

Local law enforcement bears significant responsibility for allowing this harmful climate to persist through inadequate and delayed communication. Timely, proactive public engagement is essential in dispelling harmful rumors, guiding community efforts, and ensuring the safety of volunteers. Despite repeated offers from AtNight and One World to support communication management, law enforcement responses have been limited or non-existent.

We urgently call on the SCSO and TBI to address this communication breakdown and restore effective, transparent public engagement.

Misinformation is not merely a public relations issue—it has significantly undermined search efforts, wasted precious resources, and endangered those dedicated to Sebastian’s safe return.

Plea for Federal Intervention

Due to substantial local inaction and the urgent circumstances surrounding Sebastian’s disappearance—a vulnerable minor suspected to have been trafficked internationally—AtNight and One World Society will formally request FBI oversight in a forthcoming letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Deputy Director Bongino, appointed in March 2025, currently oversees national FBI operations.

Under the Federal Kidnapping Act (18 U.S.C. § 1201), the FBI possesses jurisdiction over kidnappings involving potential international crossings, as indicated by ransom claims pointing to Cancún, Mexico. Additionally, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act may apply if evidence of human trafficking is confirmed. The FBI’s established role in AMBER Alert cases further underscores their authority and responsibility to intervene decisively in cases like Sebastian’s.

We urgently request the FBI to assume primary oversight of the Sebastian Rogers investigation, or at minimum, initiate a parallel federal inquiry and secure copies of all intelligence and tips from local and state authorities for thorough Bureau review. We also urge the FBI to similarly review the case of Summer Wells, who disappeared at age 5 in Tennessee under comparably suspicious circumstances. Local and state authorities previously used misinformation on social media platforms as justification for their prolonged inaction, an unacceptable precedent we insist must not be repeated.

Protecting minors in immediate danger is a public duty we implore the FBI to fulfill without further delay. We will request Director Patel to prioritize this case and deploy all necessary federal resources, wherever the investigation leads—Tennessee, Mexico, or beyond.

Our detailed letter to FBI leadership, copied to the U.S. Department of Justice and relevant Congressional oversight committees, will outline the timeline of neglected leads and investigative missteps, emphasizing the urgency of immediate federal action. This includes highlighting critical evidence such as the unaddressed June 23 ransom tip and overlooked forensic leads. Additionally, we are engaging with Tennessee’s Office of the U.S. Attorney and the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit due to the interstate and international implications of this case.

A fresh, empowered federal investigation—free from local political constraints and inter-agency conflicts—is essential. Sebastian’s safety must be the priority, overriding jurisdictional pride or embarrassment. While we acknowledge the FBI’s prior involvement, including their announced $50,000 reward last year, the severity of this situation now demands their direct leadership and immediate intervention.

Peter Kourkolis, AtNight’s national tipline coordinator for the Rogers case, emphasized: “Time is critical. Every ignored tip and every hour lost increases the peril Sebastian faces. We cannot tolerate further inaction or bureaucratic delays. We urgently call on the highest levels of law enforcement to intervene decisively, cut through procedural obstacles, and bring Sebastian home safely.” He further noted the diminishing patience of Sebastian’s loved ones: “We have diligently tried to work within the system. Now, we are publicly putting that system on notice.”

AtNight and One World Society are prepared to pursue legal actions for gross negligence if credible leads continue to be ignored. Our unwavering goal remains Sebastian’s safe return. Authorities must prioritize transparent communication and protect those supporting this critical search effort.

CALL TO ACTION: Help Bring Sebastian Home

We urge vigilance and immediate reporting of credible information. Silence risks Sebastian’s life; your anonymous tip could be pivotal. AtNight Creative Intelligence and One World Society are committed to using all necessary legal actions to ensure Sebastian’s case receives proper attention. We formally notify all responsible agencies that any further negligence or mishandling of credible evidence resulting in harm to Sebastian will lead to legal action for gross negligence and other relevant civil claims. Our primary goal remains Sebastian’s safe return, but accountability for mishandled tips and overlooked evidence is essential to restore public trust.

We call upon anyone with information regarding Sebastian’s disappearance—no matter how minor—to report it immediately to:

• Sumner County Sheriff’s Office: (615) 451-3838

• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI): 1-800-TBI-FIND

Alternatively and after notifying proper authorities, you may contact Dog the Bounty Hunter and AtNight’s Tipline (anonymous): tips@manhunts.one

Media organizations are encouraged to continue rigorous scrutiny of this investigation. Transparency and accountability are vital.

Setting the Record Straight: Facts vs. Misinformation

• Fact: All immediate family members—Sebastian’s father (Seth Rogers), mother (Katie Proudfoot), and stepfather (Chris Proudfoot)—cooperated with law enforcement, including taking polygraph tests.

• Misinformation: Rumors alleging a parent “refused” or “failed” polygraphs are false. Polygraph tests have not implicated family involvement.

• Fact: Sebastian was last seen on February 25, 2024, at Texas Roadhouse, Hendersonville, TN. No credible sightings have occurred afterward.

• Misinformation: Claims of a TBI “confirmed” sighting on February 26 are false. Authorities confirm no sightings post-February 25. He was reported missing on the 26th.

• Fact: Surveillance footage from a neighbor shows two unidentified individuals with flashlights behind the Rogers home at approximately 3:10 a.m. on February 26.

• Misinformation: Suggestions that Sebastian wandered off alone with evidence indicating an abrupt loss of scent beyond his yard.

• Fact: Sebastian’s phone was left behind. Investigators found no evidence of planned departure.

• Misinformation: The theory of an impulsive “escape” lacks support, especially given Sebastian’s routine-oriented nature.

• Fact: Multiple agencies (SCSO, TBI, FBI) are actively involved, supported by a reward fund totaling approximately $500,000 from public and private contributions.

• Misinformation: Claims suggesting the family rejected external help or that authorities do not intend to find Sebastian are categorically false. Our concerns center on responsiveness, not intent.

Sebastian is a beloved son, grandson, and friend who has autism and may be unable to seek help independently. He wants to come home. AtNight Creative Intelligence and One World Society remain resolute in our commitment to bringing Sebastian home and holding accountable anyone obstructing this mission. We will not cease our efforts until every avenue is thoroughly pursued and Sebastian is found safely. But if negligence persists, we will pursue legal accountability without hesitation. A young man’s life and future are at stake—let us all act accordingly, ensuring our collective efforts align with the urgency and moral imperative of this critical search.

Approved for Release by: One World Society Corp. (1 July 2025)