A West Valley City man is facing serious charges after an altercation at a city recreation center where he allegedly put a 14-year-old boy in a chokehold and briefly cut off the teen's air, according to court filings. Prosecutors identify the man as 51-year-old Louis L. Schwenke and say the clash unfolded on November 14, 2025, at a West Valley City recreation facility. Police arrested Schwenke and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail, and he was later released on bail. He is now charged with aggravated child abuse, a felony, along with a related child-abuse misdemeanor.
Charges and arrest
Court documents filed this week and reviewed by ABC4 Utah show that Schwenke faces a first-degree aggravated-child-abuse charge and a class A child-abuse misdemeanor tied to the November incident. The filings state that officers were called to the recreation center for a reported fight and that investigators later elevated the case after going through the teens' statements. The documents also note that Schwenke was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, according to the report.
What the teen told officers
According to the court filings cited by ABC4 Utah, the 14-year-old told officers he started to lose consciousness while Schwenke allegedly held him in a chokehold. Prosecutors say the teen's description of struggling for air was a key factor in pursuing the aggravated-abuse charge. Schwenke reportedly told police he "got angry and lost control," according to the documents.
Next steps in court
Court records indicate that a summons is being issued for Schwenke to appear at upcoming hearings as the case moves forward in Salt Lake County courts. The sheriff's office maintains an online inmate-lookup tool and jail docket where the public can see booking details and hearing dates. For official records, see the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office website. All charges remain allegations, and Schwenke is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty in court.
Local context
Incidents where adults are accused of physically confronting minors in public spaces tend to draw quick law-enforcement responses in the Salt Lake Valley, and prosecutors have sought aggravated child-abuse counts in cases involving reported choking or serious injury. Recent coverage of other child-abuse prosecutions in the county highlights how local courts and child-welfare agencies are handling these situations; see KSL for examples of similar cases. Charging documents in this case state that anyone with additional information about the recreation-center incident was asked to contact West Valley City police.
