A Salt Lake County man is facing a staggering 30 criminal counts after investigators say he sexually abused his 13-year-old stepdaughter over multiple years and recorded some of the incidents. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested this week, booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, and remains in custody while police continue to comb through phones and other seized electronic devices.
What investigators say
According to ABC4 Utah, court documents list 10 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of rape of a child, four counts of object rape of a child, five counts of sodomy on a child, and eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, for a total of 30 charges. Detectives requested that the court hold the man without bail, saying the investigation is still in its early stages and could lead to additional charges. The same filings state that the Division of Child and Family Services alerted Unified Police about the case on April 27.
How the case came to light and local response
Salt Lake County’s District Attorney’s Office has been spotlighting child sexual abuse and prevention this month, noting that many survivors delay reporting what happened to them. Prosecutors say coordinated efforts among law enforcement, victim advocates, and other services are central to how these cases are investigated and supported. As outlined by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, outreach and survivor services are part of a broader push to strengthen reporting and improve case outcomes.
The Utah Division of Child and Family Services guides how to report suspected abuse and says members of the public can call 1-855-323-3237 to make a referral.
What the court file says
Court documents obtained by ABC4 Utah state that the suspect admitted he had nude photographs and videos of two girls stored on his phone and admitted to sexually abusing his stepdaughter over multiple years. The filings also say a 10-year-old reported being made to shower nude with the 13-year-old, who is identified as the man’s stepdaughter.
According to the same records, the suspect told officials he believed he would be killed if he were released from custody. Judges cited those statements when authorities asked that he be held without bail. Investigators say the seized devices contained several videos of sexual abuse, and detectives are following additional leads as the case unfolds.
Legal note
Crimes listed in the charging documents, including rape of a child, object rape, and aggravated sexual abuse, are treated as first-degree felonies under Utah law and can carry indeterminate prison terms, with minimums that range from five years to life depending on the specific offense and any aggravating factors. Sentencing rules are detailed in the Utah Code. These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
