A veteran Utah Highway Patrol trooper quietly resigned in February after a criminal investigation in Box Elder County accused him of showing pornography to a 17-year-old and exposing himself to the teen multiple times.
Court documents name the former trooper as 57-year-old Robert Nelson of Willard, who had spent about 12 years with the Utah Department of Public Safety. Prosecutors told the department in mid-February that they planned to file charges, and Nelson resigned on Feb. 20. His case is set to move through Box Elder County court next week.
Allegations Detailed in Court Records
According to a probable cause statement, Box Elder County deputies first received a report on Sept. 2, 2025 that Nelson allegedly showed explicit images from a video to a 17-year-old at his home. Charging documents say the teen declined to watch and left.
The filings state that Nelson then allegedly followed the youth, undressed, and stood in his garage while touching himself as the teen mowed a nearby lawn. Similar incidents on Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 are also described in the court records.
Investigators say Nelson performed a factory reset on his computer after he was placed on administrative leave. Court records list five charges, including two felonies and three counts of lewdness, according to KJZZ.
Agency Response and Administrative Leave
Lt. Cameron Roden said the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office notified the Utah Department of Public Safety about the investigation on Sept. 25, at which point Nelson was placed on administrative leave while the sheriff’s office and the county attorney carried out their probe.
“Our department takes all allegations of misconduct against our employees seriously and has zero tolerance for it,” Roden said.
According to local reporting from KJZZ, the department’s leave procedures allow for temporary reassignment and require employees under investigation to turn in department equipment while cases are pending.
What the Charges Mean Under Utah Law
The two felony counts for distributing harmful material to a minor are typically prosecuted under Utah Code § 76-10-1206 and are generally treated as third-degree felonies under state law, according to Justia.
Obstruction of justice is defined in Utah Code § 76-8-306, which criminalizes conduct intended to hinder, delay, or prevent an investigation or prosecution. The statutory elements are outlined on the Utah Legislature site.
Lewdness is codified at Utah Code § 76-9-702. It is commonly charged as a class B misdemeanor unless specific aggravating factors apply, according to Justia.
What Happens Next in Box Elder County
Nelson’s Feb. 20 resignation from the Department of Public Safety came one week after prosecutors notified the agency on Feb. 13 that they intended to file charges. He remains subject to the ongoing criminal case in Box Elder County.
The county courts will handle pretrial scheduling and any motions that may be filed as the case moves forward in the coming weeks.
