ST. GEORGE — A juvenile male was arrested Friday evening in connection with an alleged sexual assault at a popular St. George swimming facility.
Investigators arrested a 14-year-old teen from St. George at 5:30 p.m. Friday for the alleged sexual assault reported Thursday afternoon at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center.
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.
The juvenile was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of rape of a child, St. George Police Capt. Mike Giles said.
The St. George Communications Center received a call Thursday just after 6 p.m. reporting a sexual assault of a juvenile that allegedly took place in a restroom at the aquatic center. Officers and detectives responded to the center and began an investigation.
Detectives from the St. George Police Investigations Unit processed the scene at the aquatic center until 12:30 a.m. Friday morning and began developing leads throughout the day, Giles said.
According to a press release issued by the St. George Police Department, a nonstop effort to find the subject responsible for the alleged sexual assault led to his arrest:
It was an all hands on deck approach throughout the day, running leads and reviewing evidence collected from last night and this morning.
After conducting interviews and processing evidence, investigators were led to the St. George teenager. Once probable cause was established the youth was taken into custody, Giles said.
The department’s press release states that throughout the investigation detectives consulted with the Washington County Attorney’s Office. At this point in the investigation the evidence and information obtained is sufficient to support the charges listed, Giles said.
“Those charges could be amended or additional charges could be added as the investigation continues,” he said.
According to information gathered during the investigation, it appears that the juvenile male and the victim were not acquainted with each other, Giles said, but met at the pool a short time before the alleged incident occurred.
This is an ongoing investigation, the press release states, which means the information released Friday is meant to let the public know a suspect has been arrested.
The press release also commends those involved in the investigation:
Congratulations to all of the detectives and officers who worked so hard to resolve this case and thank you to the public for your support.
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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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
You’d think a swimming pool would be a safe place in St. George.
Terrible. I see a #fundraiser in the near future (unfortunately, it will be for the suspect. Is that how #fundraisers work in this town?)
Only if he’s a “good LDS boy”. Remember those “good LDS boys” that abducted that girl in Santa Clara a few years back?…
There it is as usual. .a terrible thing happens and all dumbob can do is attack members of the LDS church. ..
Wasn’t one of those boys related to McArthur (then Mayor)? And yes, it was swept under the rug.
What does the LDS church have to do with anything? Idiot … troll.
Ed. ellipsis.
It has a lot to do with how certain people get no charges for murder and kidnapping, yet others are given the harshest penalties under the law for lesser offenses.
You can deny all you like, but historical reference will show that my statement is based in fact.
Holding a fundraiser@needcokeandcheetosforladybug ☆
(all monetary donations accepted) ??
14 and going to be a registered sex offender… What a great start in life… Oh but wait he’s a minor he’ll probably just get a slap on the wrist… GRRRR St. George judges always lettin people go that they shouldn’t!!!
How old was the victim? There is a family restroom. Was the victim’s parents, guardians, family with them? Details???
Important details. I’m not asking for the victim’s name, but these are details which members of the community care about.
Thanks!