It’s not immediately clear why, but federal agents Tuesday executed search warrants at a North Little Rock company that has become well known for licensing and digitizing the photo collections of notable newspapers around the country. They were also at the expansive home of John Rogers, owner of Rogers Photo Archive.
Reporters were kept across from the locations, as boxes were removed and loaded into vehicles.
“I saw a number of FBI agents milling around," said Arkansas Business reporter Mark Friedman. "I could see a lot of the agents had the tee shirts that said ‘Evidence Response Team,’ and it looked like they were looking for something.”
Attorney Blake Hendrix, who represents Rogers, said the FBI was serving search warrants, but said they didn't know what the agents were looking for. He noted that Rogers has not been arrested or been advised that he would be charged with any crime.
FBI spokeswoman Kimberly Brunell confirmed that agents were conducting "official business," but wouldn't comment on the nature of the investigation.
John Rogers could not be reached for comment.
Over the years, Rogers Photo Archive has been acquiring the collections of major daily newspapers.
In February 2013, 120 of the historic images were compiled into an exhibit of rare photos of President John F. Kennedy, making the 50th anniversary of his assassination. That collection was displayed throughout North Little Rock.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
