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TRUCKER CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING MINOR
A Wisconsin long-distance trucker has been convicted of sexually abusing a young female relative while he was visiting her in Utah. On Friday a jury found Michael W. Thompson, 37, guilty of two first-degree felony counts of forcible sodomy.
The two-day trial centered on the testimony of the young victim. She testified the abuse began when she was 15-years-old while traveling with Thompson to Wisconsin. She also testified that Thompson abused her when she was 16-years-old and living in Salt Lake City in 2002.
“It is my hope that victims will follow the example of this brave woman and come forward,” says Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. “We want victims to know they will be heard and everything possible will be done to hold their abusers accountable.” Thompson could face up to 30-years to life in prison when he is sentenced at 9:00 a.m., April 28, before Third District Court Judge Pat Brian.
“Although this was a long process, justice was ultimately served,” says Assistant Attorney General Paul Amann. “This young woman bravely endured what would be difficult for any victim of a sex offense.”
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Utah Attorney General's Office oversees the Utah ICAC Task Force which includes investigators from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Utah Department of Public Safety, Utah Department of Corrections, Salt Lake City Police Department, Murray Police Department, West Jordan Police Department and the West Valley City Police Department. The task force is also affiliated with the U.S. Attorneys Office, Salt Lake City; Ada County Sheriff's Office, Idaho; Billings Police Department, Montana; Cache County Sheriff's Office, Duchesne County Sheriff's Office, Utah County Sheriff's Office and the Weber County Sheriff's Office.
For more information about the Utah ICAC Task Force and Internet safety tips, please visit http://www.attorneygeneral.utah.gov/ICAC/icacmain.htm.
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