A routine inspection at an Iron County landfill turned into a criminal case on Thursday, after a worker found two child-like sex dolls in a dumpster. Detectives say that the discovery led them to a Cedar City home where additional dolls were recovered, and the investigation has now moved into the 5th District Court while authorities continue their inquiry.
Shane Alexander Larson, 54, was arrested Thursday and charged Friday in 5th District Court with six counts of distributing or purchasing a child sex doll, a third-degree felony, and six counts of possession, a class A misdemeanor, according to KSL. A booking affidavit states that an Iron County landfill employee found two dolls inside a shipping box during routine dumpster checks. Investigators say the box carried a shipping label that had been partially blacked out but was still readable enough to trace the package back to Larson’s residence.
What the law says
Utah passed HB108 in 2023 to ban “child sex dolls,” defining them as anatomically correct dolls with features that resemble minors and that are intended for sexual use. The enrolled bill makes possession a class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine and makes distributing or purchasing a child sex doll a third-degree felony with a mandatory minimum fine, per the Utah State Legislature.
How investigators traced the dolls
According to KSL, deputies obtained a search warrant for Larson's home after following the information on the shipping label. During the search, investigators say they located additional dolls. The arrest report states that Larson admitted the items found at the landfill were his and that he discarded them “because they appeared to be too young.” He was arrested at the conclusion of the interview.
Legislative and law-enforcement context
The bill that created the offenses, HB108, was sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gwynn, R‑Farr West, who also serves as the chief of the Roy Police Department, and it passed the Legislature without opposition, as reported by Deseret News. During debate, supporters told lawmakers the dolls had appeared in child-exploitation investigations and argued the statute would give prosecutors another tool when digital evidence is limited.
What's next
Larson's case is now pending in the 5th District Court, where future filings and hearings will determine how prosecutors proceed. Court records are expected to show any next steps, including arraignment dates and potential motions from the defense.
