Utah Man Charged With Child Pornography

Ryan Fox Likely Facing 25+ Years in Prison

Orem resident Ryan Fox, who is 21-years-old is facing at least a 25 year prison sentence for taking sexually explicit photos of himself abusing a 9-year-old girl. Fox was previously convicted of attempted child pornography in 2009 and because of that conviction he now faces a mandatory sentence of 25 years in federal prison. Fox was arrested last October and has been in jail since then as he was deemed a danger to the community by the federal magistrate. Fox pleaded guilty to the charges on Monday and will face sentencing next January.

Utah Child Pornography Charges
When fox was originally charged and convicted of attempted child pornography he faced 10 different counts of the charge. The reason why there were so many counts is that under Utah law a separate charge can be made for each depiction of a minor (i.e. each photo) or for each distinct minor that is portrayed (i.e. each child). So in Fox’s case there may have been 10 different children portrayed, 10 different photos/videos/etc of the same child, or a mix of the two. Child pornography is obviously a serious matter and as with most sex crimes prosecutors are very aggressive in their prosecution. As shown in Fox’s case the penalties for these types of actions can balloon quickly and become extremely serious.

St. George Sex Crimes Attorney

Sex crimes are dealt with very seriously in the criminal justice system and along with violent crimes are some of the most important cases most prosecutors have. If you are facing sex crime charges then there is a lot at stake for your and you really can’t afford not to have an attorney at your side. At St George Criminal Defense Lawyer we make sure that your rights are protected and we work tirelessly for you. Call or email us today to set up an initial consultation.

Utah Theft Laws

Down Economy Makes for Desperate Actions

Just in case you haven’t watched a presidential debate lately, the talk of the town is that our economy is in crisis. With unemployment at one of its highest points in years, along with the housing troubles, people are more often than not finding themselves financially strapped. As people find it more and more difficult to sustain themselves and their families they become more and more desperate and start taking on more and more risk. Some even take the ultimate risk and put their liberties on the line as they participate in criminal activity. As it becomes more and more difficult to make money legitimately the incentive for theft rise.

No Benefits to Theft

No matter how desperate a person becomes participating in theft is never a good decision for anyone. The likelihood that you will be caught is high and the criminal penalties imposed are harsh. In Utah there are a number of different crimes contained under the theft heading (shoplifting, burglary, theft by deception, communications fraud), but the main idea is that one person is taking something that doesn’t belong to them. Each crime requires different elements to convict a person but all of them carry serious penalties if convicted.

Washington County Theft Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a theft crime and need help defending yourself then call the attorneys at St George Criminal Defense Lawyer. Our lawyers are expereinced in defending people at trial and will work hard to protect your rights. We offer free consultations to help you understand the legal process and how we can help you. With so much at stake it is important that you find legal assistance that will work tirelessly for your best interest and that kind of legal help can be found at St George Criminal Defense Lawyer. Call or email us today to set up an appointment.

St. George Assault Lawyer | Utah Misdemeanors

Most people lose their tempers over many different things.  One person may lose his temper over his favorite sports team losing a game and another may become angry when her boyfriend flirts with another women.  Whatever the reason, many people in the St. George area lose their tempers.  Most people keep their tempers under control enough to keep them from acting criminally and committing misdemeanors, but some may lose their control and commit assault.  When a criminal act such as assault occurs, that person will need a St. George assault lawyer to help him or her rectify the damage done because of the misdemeanor assault .

Assault Law in Southern Utah

Assault law in Southern Utah, as well as the rest of Utah, is governed by the Utah Criminal Code.  The Utah Criminal Code says that assault is:
(a) an attempt, with unlawful force or violence, to do bodily injury to another;
(b) a threat, accompanied by a show of immediate force or violence, to do bodily injury to another; or
(c) an act, committed with unlawful force or violence, that causes bodily injury to another or creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another.
(2) Assault is a class B misdemeanor.
(3) Assault is a class A misdemeanor if:
(a) the person causes substantial bodily injury to another; or
(b) the victim is pregnant and the person has knowledge of the pregnancy.                          According to the law, a victim of assault does not need to sustain any type of bodily harm. A person can be charged with assault if he threatens an individual and appears as if he going to do something to hurt another person such as punching that person.

Most people use the term “assault” to describe a beating or abuse a person inflicts upon another person.  But no physical contact is required for someone to be charged with assault.  The Utah Criminal Code defines assault in such a way that it is easy for a person to be charged with it because he or she is angry and wants to hurt someone else even if the angered person does not really intend on inflicting bodily harm.  St. George Prosecutors can easily charge individuals with assault so it’s important for any criminal defendant charged with this to contact a St. George criminal defense lawyer.

Assault Help From St. George Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you have been charged with assault or another violent crime, contact a St. George criminal defense lawyer from St George Criminal Defense Lawyer for help.  SLF lawyers have defended many misdemeanor assault cases in Utah and are bringing their expertise to St. George.  For a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer call 435.215.1101 today.

3 Arrested in Cedar City for Blanding Robbery

Weapons Stolen from Blanding Police Department

Last week three people were arrested in connection with a burglary of weapons and drugs from the Blanding City Police Department. Thomas Goatz, Timothy Goatz, and Carmen Doan, were all arrested last Thursday and charged with a number of felony charges. Each was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, 9 counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, 9 counts of possession of a stolen firearm, two counts of child endangerment and cultivation of marijuana. The arrests came about from a Cedar City Police investigation into an automobile burglary, that led officers to believe that a burglary of Blanding City Police Department had taken place. Further information about the burglary was obtained when a UHP trooper stopped a vehicle in Salt Lake City and found corroborating evidence about the burglary.Officials say that a search warrant has been issued for a residence in Enoch, Utah to find the remaining stolen weapons.

Burglary, Guns, and Drugs

With the myriad of charges that these three are facing and the fact that they were likely found with the stolen goods the outcome doesn’t look too hopeful. The drug charges alone could cause each defendant to face serious jail time and the only evidence that is really needed to prove those charges are the drugs themselves.

Cedar City Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal charges are a serious matter that should induce some serious thought on the part of the accused. Most charges will have a major impact on a persons life if convicted and at the least will show up as a black mark on their record. With all of this and more at stake it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to help minimize the risks. The lawyers at St. George Criminal Defense are experienced trial attorneys that can help you defend your rights and obtain the best outcome available. Call us today to set up a free consultation, to see what we can do for you.

 

 

Marijuana Growing Operation in Southern Utah Busted

Southern Utah Popular Growing Area for Drug Cartels

Last week there was a large marijuana growing operation destroyed near Beaver, UT and there are reports today that there is going to be another bust near Cedar City, UT. Southern Utah has obviously become a hotbed for marijuana growing operations and the Wasatch County Area Drug task force is working hard to stop the production of these operations before they get the drugs onto the streets. The bust that took place near Beaver resulted in the destruction of what was estimated as $12 million dollars in marijuana. The growers were not found in that bust but the place they had been staying in was destroyed as well as the plants.

Drug Crimes in Southern Utah

In Utah the most common drug crimes are possession and distribution. Depending on the drug that the person had or was selling the crimes associated with drug possession and distribution can range from smaller misdemeanors to very serious felonies. Furthermore, if you were arrested in what is considered a drug free zone (near a school, park, mall, etc…) then your charge will be enhanced to carry a harder penalty. Drug crimes carry heavy penalties and are prosecuted very aggressively by the state in an effort to curb the rising drug problems in our communities.

Facing Drug Charges?

If you or someone you love is facing criminal drug charges, then call an attorney today. Our lawyers are experienced trial attorneys who know how to get their clients the best outcome available. No matter what the drug, or the charge we can help you and we understand what is at stake for you at this time. Facing criminal charges is difficult for anyone so why not have the help of a trusted and aggressive attorney who will fight to protect your rights. Call us today to set up a free consultation.

 

Charges Dropped Against Ivins Man

Sexual Exploitation Charges Dropped

On June 14, 2011 Ronald Craig Nelson was arrested for an investigation into five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Although this charge sounds somewhat unfamiliar and foreign, it is Utah’s child pornography statute. Nelson was originally detained on $50,000 bail but other than that little was known about the arrest or the investigation. It has been a month since that arrest and those charges against Nelson have been dropped. There is still little know as to why Nelson was arrested or what led to the investigation but the prosecuting attorney has stated that the decision to drop the charges came after receiving a forensic report of Nelson’s computer. Prosecuting attorney Brian Filter stated that there was not sufficient evidence to support the charges.

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Utah

In Utah, child pornography charges are categorized as sexual exploitation of a minor. A person is guilty of this offense if they knowingly produce, distribute, or posses child pornography. A conviction of sexual exploitation of a minor is a second degree felony and can carry up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In most cases, however, there are multiple counts of this offense against one offender because each child depicted in the pornography or each separate material with the same child is a separate count. So offenders will most likely be facing multiple second degree felonies as was Nelson.

St. George Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you love is being charged with a serious sex crime like sexual exploitation of a minor then there is no time to waste, you need to hire an attorney. The lawyers at St. George Criminal Defense are experienced trial attorneys who know how to get you the best outcome available. Sex crimes usually carry the added burden of ruined reputations, but we understand that a person is not guilty of the crime simply because they were charged with it. Call us today to set up a free consultation.