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Sean D. Reyes
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Utah AG Announces 13 Arrests of ICAC Operation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2019

ICAC TASK FORCE WRAPS OPERATION WITH THIRTEEN ARRESTS
Over 45 Charges Issued to Offenders Arrested in Utah County

SALT LAKE CITY – Today, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes announced the arrest of thirteen individuals in Utah County following a recent operation targeting child sexual predators. Charges include Enticing a Minor, Attempted Rape of a Child, Attempted Sodomy of a Child, Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child, Attempted Forcible Sexual Abuse, Criminal Solicitation, and more, for a total of 48 charges.

“The bad news is the information we are sharing today is grim in nature and shows that there are adults in our communities who appear to be actively and aggressively trying to have sexual contact with Utah children,” said Attorney General Reyes. “My office works with children who are actual victims of sexual abuse and rape; we see these children and the trauma they suffer. That’s why we perform these operations, and why we’re so committed to preventing harm where we can and prosecuting every possible crime against children that we can. Our goal is to prevent this kind of trauma from happening to even one more child.”

The investigation, led by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, indicated the suspects primarily targeted boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 13 years old. These suspects, if convicted, would be considered among the most dangerous and aggressive child predators because their activity indicates a plan to engage in sexual contact with a minor.

Based on the number of cases law enforcement agencies have handled across the state, evidence shows that this problem has become more pervasive in the last year.

Attorney General Reyes addressed that troubling trend today during a press conference alongside ICAC officers from the Provo Police Department, Orem Police Department, Utah County Sheriff’s office, Uintah County Sheriff’s office, Dixie State University Police, Davis County Attorney’s office, and Adult Probation and Parole who all participated in the operation. 

Keeping Children Safe

The Utah Attorney General’s ICAC Education Specialist has the following tips:

As community members, our role is to help protect children. If you know of anyone who is contacting children, please call your local law enforcement or the ICAC Tip Line at 801-281-1211.

# # #

NOTES:

  1. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
  2. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) is a multi-jurisdictional task force that investigates and prosecutes individuals who use the Internet to exploit children.
  3. You can find a list of the alleged offenders and charges here: https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Criminal-Charges-from-Utah-County-Attorneys-Office-.pdf.
  4. You can find the booking photos here: https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/icac-operation-booking-photos/.

Remembering our Peace Officers

May 15, 2019

In honor of Peace Officer Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

The Utah Attorney General’s office extends our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all the men and women of law enforcement across the state for their dedication and service on behalf of the people of Utah. We are proud to serve alongside them. We are profoundly grateful for the day-to-day service they rendered and for the sacrifice they and their families made. They are a tremendous example of selflessness toward our fellow man.

May we live our lives in a way that honors theirs.

President Donald J. Trump Signs Executive Order on the Economic Empowerment of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders

May 13, 2019

Earlier this year, Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes was appointed to President Donald J. Trump’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Today he joined the President and other council members for the signing of the Executive Order commemorating Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed the Executive Order “Economic Empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders” in Celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Looking on were the council’s Co-Chairs: Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao; and its commissioners: Amata Coleman Radewagen, Delegate for the U.S. House of Representatives, American Samoa; Sean Reyes, State of Utah Attorney General; Dr. Paul Hsu of Florida; David B. Cohen of California; Y. Lee of Michigan; George Leing of Colorado; Jan-Ie Low of Nevada; Herman Martir of Texas; Prem Parameswaran of New York; and Chiling Tong of Maryland.

You can read the entire Executive Order here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-economic-empowerment-asian-americans-pacific-islanders/ .

A Look at the Utah Town Hall on Opioids

May 7, 2019

Recently the Utah Attorney General’s office had the opportunity to join Utah DEA and Utah Naloxone for an Opioid Town Hall, hosted by former Fox News host Eric Bolling.

Part of Addicted Utah, an ongoing series by KUTV, the town hall included Assistant AG Scott Reed, Utah Naloxone co-founder Dr. Jennifer Plumb, DEA District Agent in Charge Brian Besser, and was moderated by 2News anchor, Jim Spiewak.

The town hall featured stories of former addicts, addressed the increase in opioid and non-fatal drug overdoses and the danger of Benzo’s, as well as impact on veterans, how to recognize an overdose, and steps being taken to combat the opioid epidemic in Utah.

“This is an unprecedented time for all of us. We need more than ever to work together – a concerted effort to understand and to defeat the problem as a community.”

Utah Assistant Attorney General Scott Reed

You can watch Town Hall Your Voice, Your Future – Opioids: A National Crisis below.

For more information on the effect of opioids in Utah, visit KUTV’s Addicted Utah series.

Public Service Recognition Week

May 6, 2019

During Public Service Recognition Week, the Utah Attorney General’s office acknowledges the countless civil servants who have dedicated their lives to serve their fellow citizens.

Our country is strong due to the hard work and selfless dedication of men and women across various fields using their needed talents and skills. From teachers to mail carriers, first responders to transit workers, and law enforcement officers to government personnel, we are grateful to those who work to keep our nation safe and prosperous.

Take time this week to thank the public servants you know, or the ones you come across during your day, for all they do on our behalf every day.

Utah AG: Review of First-Degree Felony Cases

May 6, 2019

In accordance with House Bill 281, the Utah Attorney General’s office is now accepting first-degree felony cases for review that have been investigated, then screened, and declined for prosecution by a district or county attorney. You can find a list of what constitutes as a first-degree felony here.

If you are a victim in such a case, or the representative of a victim, you can refer your case to the Justice Division of the Utah AG’s office.

To refer a case, please follow the following instructions.

  1. Obtain a complete police report of your case. You can do this through a GRAMA (Government Records Access and Management Act) request to the police agency that investigated your case.
  2. Send a WRITTEN request with a brief summary of the facts of your case and/or your representative’s contact information to:

Lori Oliver
Utah Attorney General’s Office
5272 S. College Drive, Suite 200
Salt Lake City, UT 84123

Your request will be evaluated to determine whether your case meets the review criteria of the new law. If the criteria are met, you and/or your representative will be contacted for the next steps.

Law Day 2019

May 1, 2019

The Utah Attorney General’s office is proud to recognize Law Day and celebrate the rule of law which protects the freedoms we all enjoy. Every May we have the opportunity to remind ourselves how vital the law and legal process are in protecting our freedoms and bringing justice for all Americans.

This year’s theme – Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society – are three critical cornerstones for a free country to operate. These three freedoms create the necessary structure of checks and balances for our local and federal governments to function. The Utah AG’s office reaffirms its commitment to uphold the Constitution and the freedoms it provides because we believe the ideals of equality and justice under the law are vital to the democratic way of life.

You can learn more about the law and Law Day by visiting the American Bar Association, a fierce advocate for legal education.

Is Utah the Fraud Capital of the U.S.?

April 30, 2019

Yes. Yes, we are.

Utah has a long-held reputation as the fraud capital of the United States, mostly based on anecdotal evidence. But a nationwide Ponzi scheme database that Florida attorney Jordan Maglich compiled offers proof that the ignominious label appears deserved…

Overall, Utah investors lost over $1.5 billion in those [Ponzi] scams over those 10 years. The number does not include other affinity frauds and investment scams which Pugsley estimates account for another $500 million in losses to Utah residents.

Does Utah deserve the title ‘fraud capital of the United States’?
by Dennis Romboy for Deseret News

One of the priorities of the Utah Attorney General’s office is to prosecute those who participate in fraudulent and criminal activity. In an effort to better protect citizens from financial fraud, the Utah AG created a White Collar Crime Offender Registry.

White collar crimes are characterized by deceit, concealment, or a violation of trust. Those who commit these crimes are often motivated by the desire to avoid losing money, property, or to secure a financial advantage.

Protect yourself from fraudulent investments by being in the know. Before making a financial investment – check the Registry.

Photo by Michael Longmire

ICYMI: Combating Child Pornography in Utah

April 29, 2019

Last Thursday and Friday, April 25-26, ABC4‘s Brittany Johnson highlighted the reality of the growing child pornography problem in Utah in a two-part special segment. Thursday, ABC4 rode along with Utah Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) special agents to see the frontline action and experience the battle first hand. Friday, ABC4 spoke with Special Agent Sete Aulai and revealed who these perpetrators are and what you can do to help fight this epidemic.

TRIGGER WARNING: The following videos contain graphic and disturbing details regarding the sexual assault of children.

Utah’s Child Pornography Problem: Part 1 (Courtesy of ABC4 Utah)


Utah’s Child Pornography Problem: Part 2 (Courtesy of ABC4 Utah)

ABC4 Article: Utah’s Child Pornography Problem

Rapid DNA: Changing the way investigators do business

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Dozens of cases – big and small – have been solved in the last several months thanks to Rapid DNA, a new technology that allows law enforcement to analyze evidence on the crime scene and deliver results within a couple of hours.

Used by law enforcement agencies across the state, special agents with the Utah Attorney General’s office have found the technology to be effective and efficient at linking DNA to crimes. In addition, the whole process is faster and cheaper than using private labs.

Courtesy of KUTV Channel 2

Rapid DNA technology is available to any law enforcement agency in the state at no cost to their local taxpayers. The testing is paid for by the Utah Attorney General’s office and supplemented by local grants.

It’s one more step in making our communities safer.

For more information about Rapid DNA, please visit https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/rapid-dna/.

To utilize Rapid DNA in your agency, please call our AG Investigations Division at 801-281-1200.