WARNING: Roger Hueber
In August 2005, a woman disappeared just days before she was supposed to testify against her boyfriend, a corrections officer accused of sexually abusing minors. For years, her family says she was treated like a fugitive instead of a missing person. But when we looked deeper, we found a witness who has never spoken publicly before — and a sighting from the night she vanished that could change the way this case has been understood for more than twenty years.
Sheryl Rucci
Source: NamUs
Sheryl Rucci
Courtesy: Rucci Family
Sheryl Rucci
Courtesy: Rucci Family
Roger Hueber
Source: Facebook / Meghan Hueber
Roger Hueber’s 2011 sex offender registry photo
Courtesy: Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
Roger Hueber’s 2023 sex offender registry photo
Courtesy: Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
Roger and Meghan Hueber
Source: Facebook / Meghan Hueber
Meghan and Roger in 2014
Source: Facebook / Meghan Hueber
Timeline:
Summer 1999
Summer 1999
Roger Hueber and Sheryl Rucci sexually assault a 14-year-old girl.
Spring or summer 2004
Spring or summer 2004
Roger allegedly begins having sexual contact with Meghan.
December 2004
December 2004
Roger has sexual contact with Meghan at a gym in front of her 12-year-old cousin and a 2-year-old child.
January 6, 2005
January 6, 2005
Emily writes in her journal about Roger Hueber’s relationship with Meghan, prompting a school administrator to alert authorities.
January 2005
January 2005
Investigator Joe Taylor opens an investigation into Roger. Roger denies having a sexual relationship with Meghan during an interview.
Early 2005
Early 2005
Investigators learn Roger allegedly exposed Emily to pornography, exposed himself to her at a motel and participated in inappropriate behavior with minors during a boating trip.
March 15, 2005
March 15, 2005
Roger denies allegations during a formal interview after Sheryl tells investigators she and Roger assaulted a 14-year-old girl in 1999.
August 9, 2005
August 9, 2005
Sheryl reportedly learns deputies are trying to serve her with a subpoena to testify before the grand jury.
August 10, 2005
August 10, 2005
Sheryl is reported missing by her family.
Sept. 1, 2005
Sept. 1, 2005
A grand jury indicts Roger on 21 counts, including rape, sodomy, sexual abuse and child endangerment.
Sept. 6, 2005
Sept. 6, 2005
Roger pleads not guilty, posts bail and is released.
December 2005
December 2005
Emily reports Roger repeatedly drove his truck toward her while she was walking, allegedly attempting to intimidate her before trial.
February 2006
February 2006
Roger’s bail is revoked after allegations of witness intimidation.
June 5, 2006
June 5, 2006
Roger pleads guilty to second-degree attempted rape and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He is sentenced to 16 months to four years in prison.
Jan. 15, 2010
Jan. 15, 2010
Roger is released from prison.
Jan. 19, 2010
Jan. 19, 2010
Roger registers as a sex offender.
2011
2011
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office publicly states that investigators believe Sheryl was the victim of foul play and searches Roger’s former home.
2012
2012
Roger receives five years of probation after failing to update his address as a registered sex offender.
Feb. 25, 2015
Feb. 25, 2015
Roger is discharged from supervision early.
August 2015
August 2015
Roger is arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.
Sheryl's Apartment
The last place Sheryl Rucci was known to be before disappearing on Aug. 9, 2005.
Roller Skating Rink
K-9s reportedly tracked Sheryl’s scent from her apartment to this area shortly after she disappeared.
Off State Route 78
Where a witness reported seeing a distressed woman inside a teal sedan and a large man walking out of nearby woods on the night Sheryl disappeared.
Lake Ontario, New York
Where Investigators conducted sonar searches while looking for Sheryl.
Additional Information:
Tips:
If you know anything about the disappearance of Sheryl Rucci, please contact the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office at 716-438-3393. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, you can submit a tip on their website.
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Mallika Dhaliwal.
- “Corrections officer, 41, accused in girl’s rape.” The Buffalo News. 16 Mar 2005. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877080101. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- “Niagara deputies seek to trace missing witness.” The Buffalo News. 31 Aug 2005. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/878159634. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- Prohaska, Thomas J., “Suspended jail guard accused of having sex with girl.” The Buffalo News. 3 Sep 2005. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/878161116. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- “Missing woman’s status changes to fugitive.” The Buffalo News. 7 Oct 2005. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877028397. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- “Investigator Testifies About Hueber Allegations.” Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, 10 Nov. 2005, https://archive.ph/uqMc7. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Prohaska, Thomas J.. “Guard’s lawyers call indictment unfair.” The Buffalo News. 22 Dec 2005. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877031808. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- “20 of 21 counts stand in sexual abuse case.” The Buffalo News. 5 Jan 2006. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877020665. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- “Sex-crime defendant jailed in alleged threat.” The Buffalo News. 2 Feb 2006. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877042635. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- Prohaska, Thomas J.. “Jail Guard’s bail revoked in child-sex case.” The Buffalo News. 3 Feb 2006. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877043127. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- DuVall, Eric. “Jail Guard Pleads Guilty in Rape Case.” Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, 15 Mar. 2006, https://archive.ph/NN8yj. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Kates, Tasha. “New on the Web: Prison Time for Jail Guard.” Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, 5 June 2006, https://archive.ph/QcbD3. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Kates, Tasha. “Missing Woman: Rucci Family Marks One Year Without Loved One.” Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, 9 Aug. 2006, https://archive.ph/h45lw. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Milazzo, Britney. “Five Years after Her Disappearance, Town Woman’s Family Seeks Closure.” Union-Sun & Journal (Lockport, NY), 7 Aug. 2010, https://newslibrary.com/newspapers/news/1317A4AAFB732D60. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- “Sex offender gets break in appeals court ruling.” The Buffalo News. 19 Feb 2011. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877449114. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- “Sheriff’s Office Seeking Tips on Rucci ‘Cold Case.’” Tonawanda News (NY), 10 Aug. 2011, https://newslibrary.com/newspapers/news/1390AEFC488219C0. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Fischer, Nancy A.. “Aid sought from public on missing woman.” The Buffalo News. 10 Aug 2011. Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/877536033. Accessed 24 Mar 2026.
- Staff Reports. “Case Still Cold.” Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, 6 Oct. 2012, https://archive.ph/qPOPX. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Canfield, Michael. “Offender Fights Ruling.” Union-Sun & Journal (Lockport, NY), 3 Sept. 2014, https://newslibrary.com/newspapers/news/1501C4C502C87E70. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Canfield, Michael. “Sex Offender’s Effort to Throw Out Conviction Fails.” Niagara Gazette, 1 Oct. 2014, https://newslibrary.com/newspapers/news/150B4F8BD726E140. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Fuerschbach, Rachel. “Police Always Look to Warm Up Cold Cases.” Union-Sun & Journal, 16 Aug. 2015, https://newslibrary.com/newspapers/news/15747F0FC23FAB18. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Staff Writer. “Editorial: Saluting Investigators in Cold Case.” Niagara Gazette, 20 Nov. 2021, https://newslibrary.com/newspapers/news/18663DA0409F0AD8. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- WKBW Staff. “20 Years Later, Family Still Searching for Answers in Sheryl Rucci’s Disappearance.” WKBW, 9 Aug. 2025, https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/niagara-orleans/20-years-later-family-still-searching-for-answers-in-sheryl-ruccis-disappearance. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
- Kates, Tasha. “Expectant mom gets 45 days in jail.” Niagara Gazette, July 5, 2006, https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/expectant-mom-gets-45-days-in-jail/article_df01e386-f90a-56f0-af0c-d08500e4d870.html
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