Settlement likely in Kearns sex abuse case

By Pat Reavy

Deseret Morning News

A Kearns man charged with 22 counts of sexually related crimes against children, including 19 first-degree felonies, is expected to reach a resolution in the case, his attorney said Tuesday.

The 37-year-old man was arrested in January for investigation of more than 40 counts of sexually abusing three children, two boys and girl, that he and his wife had adopted. All of the victims were 9 or 10 years old. Investigators say the man raped, molested and assaulted the children with a screwdriver handle in his house over a three-year period.

After confessing to a friend what he had done, the friend advised him to immediately confess to the sheriff's office and surrender.

The Deseret Morning News does not print the names of criminal defendants accused of sexually abusing their own children to protect the identities of the victims.

In court Tuesday, Judge Robert Hilder denied a defense request to have the man released to pre-trial services. Hilder, however, agreed to reduce his bail to $250,000, but stipulated that the man must be supervised by pre-trial services should he make bail.

Defense attorney Michael Peterson argued his client is not a flight risk. But Hilder agreed with prosecutors that based on the charges, the man still presented a danger to the community.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28. But Peterson noted it was only a formality and that resolution would be reached.

"I want to make it crystal clear our intention is not to conduct a preliminary hearing," he said.

The man wore a yellow jail jump suit with his hands handcuffed behind his back. He did not say a word during his brief appearance.