Farmington, Utah, former Third District Court Judge William Kendall has admitted to reduced criminal charges in a deal that puts his case in legal limbo and keeps a formal conviction off the books for now. Kendall entered guilty pleas Monday to lesser counts tied to a sexual assault allegation and a drug-distribution charge under a plea-in-abeyance agreement, a setup that pauses any conviction while he follows court-ordered rules. There is no immediate sentencing, and a review hearing later this spring will determine whether the case gets tossed or moves forward as a straight conviction.
Plea deal details
Under the agreement, Kendall pleaded guilty to two class A misdemeanors, one for sexual battery and one for attempted distribution of a controlled substance. Two class B misdemeanor counts were dismissed, and earlier felony charges were reduced as part of the package. Kendall, 54, was appointed to the bench in 2014 after working as an assistant U.S. attorney and as a deputy district attorney, a background that makes his presence on the other side of the courtroom all the more striking.
As part of the deal, Kendall must pay a $1,000 plea-in-abeyance fee, have no contact with the victim, continue counseling, and draft what the court characterized as a “sincere apology letter.” A progress hearing is set for April 13 before Second District Judge Ronald Russell, according to KSL.
Allegations and resignation
Prosecutors say the criminal case traces back to a gathering at Kendall’s home on Feb. 21, 2025. During that get-together, Kendall allegedly offered a woman THC and touched her inappropriately over her clothing, while also handing a “weed pen” to a second woman. Charging documents filed in April 2025 listed forcible sexual abuse and distribution counts, along with misdemeanor drug allegations. Investigators say a search warrant at Kendall’s home turned up THC products and related paraphernalia. Those details surfaced in regional coverage that reprinted reporting from ABC4, as noted by East Idaho News.
What a plea in abeyance means
A plea in abeyance is a kind of legal timeout. The court takes a guilty plea but holds off on entering judgment for a set period, as long as the defendant follows specific terms. Utah courts use the tool to create a possible path to dismissal when a defendant completes treatment, stays out of trouble, and complies with conditions. Legal summaries describe the setup as a way to encourage rehabilitation while still guarding victims through requirements such as no-contact orders and mandatory counseling.
In Kendall’s case, the abeyance period lasts 18 months and includes counseling and no-contact requirements spelled out in the agreement. Those details were reported by KSL and line up with Utah appellate descriptions of plea-in-abeyance procedures summarized by Justia.
Next steps and accountability
The court will revisit Kendall’s case at the April 13 review hearing to decide whether he has earned a dismissal under the abeyance terms or whether the charges should be turned into formal convictions if he has fallen short. Kendall’s attorney has told regional outlets that the former judge has written an apology to the victim and provided proof of counseling as part of his efforts to stay in compliance.
The outcome will test how a familiar plea tool operates when the defendant is a former judge, not a typical criminal defendant. Legal observers say the case has become a quiet stress test of court accountability in high-profile misconduct situations, and watchdogs are expected to follow the April review closely, according to East Idaho News.
