Riverdale man accused of sexually abusing 14-year-old family member, charges say
SOUTH OGDEN, Utah () — A Riverdale man has been charged with sexually abusing a minor family member after her father discovered explicit messages.
The 26-year-old man, who ABC4 is not identifying to protect the victim, has been charged with six felony counts of rape, two felony counts of forcible sodomy, two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one misdemeanor count of dealing in harmful material to a minor.
According to documents, the South Ogden Police Department was contacted by the father of a 14-year-old girl, who said that an uncle had been communicating with her through a mobile device. The father had taken her mobile device and discovered frequent communication through text messages, phone calls, and FaceTime.
The father discovered that the 26-year-old man had allegedly engaged in illegal sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old victim, at which point he contacted the police.
Riverdale man charged with sexually assaulting, giving alcohol to underage teen, documents say
During a forensic interview at the Children's Justice Center with the underage victim, she disclosed to police that she and the 26-year-old man had discussions related to sexual behavior and 'engaged in sexual acts.' The victim also told police that she considered the 26-year-old an uncle.
Officers reviewed the mobile device and found that explicit images had been exchanged between the 26-year-old and the underage victim. Police and the father used the mobile device to contact the uncle, and he confessed to the victim's father that he had sexual intercourse with the child victim.
The 26-year-old was taken into custody by the South Ogden Police Department. During an interview with police, he admitted to engaging in illegal sexual activity with the 14-year-old victim 'approximately six times between March and May 2025.' He also confirmed that he had sent and received explicit images through text.
He was booked into the Weber County Jail and is currently being held without bail. The 26-year-old man has an initial appearance in court on June 17.
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