ST. GEORGE — St. George police officers and detectives descended in force upon the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center to investigate an alleged sexual assault of a juvenile Thursday evening.

Just after 6 p.m. the St. George Communications Center received a call reporting an alleged sexual assault at the swimming facility that caters to families, competitive swimmers and community events.

Also known as “the S.H.A.C.” the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center is located at 1144 N. Lava Flow Drive, St. George, right next to the boundaries of the City of Santa Clara, a library and two schools.

Officers and detectives from the St. George Police Department responded to the reported assault that allegedly occurred in one of the restrooms at the facility, St. George Police Lt. Johnny Heppler said.

“The reported victim is a juvenile,” Heppler said. “The incident is being investigated by the St. George Police Department’s Investigative Unit.”

Several detectives were on scene collecting evidence and taking witness statements at the time of this report.

According to a press release published on the St. George Police Department’s Facebook page:

This investigation is of the highest priority to our department and we are pursuing the investigation with all of the resources at our disposal.

Police are asking anyone who was at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center Thursday afternoon or evening who may have information that may aid in the investigation, or saw anything suspicious or of concern, to contact the St. George Police Department at (435) 627-4300. When calling please refer to Incident No. 16P017071. 

The St. George Police Department responded to the incident with multiple officers including Chief Marlon Stratton, detectives and a St. George Police K-9 Unit.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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