Utah Teenager Arrested For First Degree Sodomy of a 3 Year old

A 14 year old teenager from Cedar City Utah was arrested for sodomy for sexually abusing his 3 year old relative.

Sexual abuse of a family member

The allegations of sodomy on a child stem from an incident that took place in the early part of December 2016 where the 14 year old teenager sodomized a 3 year old who was related to the teen, but not a living in the same home. The teen was charged with first degree sodomy on a child and referred to 5th District Juvenile Court.

First degree sodomy on a child

Utah Code 76-5-403.1 states “a person commits sodomy upon a child if the actor engages in any sexual act upon or with a child who is under the age of 14, involving the genitals or anus of the actor or the child and the mouth or anus of either person, regardless of the sex of either participant.” Sodomy on a child is a first degree felony.

No slap on the wrist for juvenile offenders

Many parents believe that when a crime is committed by a minor, the courts will show leniency or “go easier” on a juvenile. This is not always the case. In many instances, especially those involving first degree felonies, end up with the juvenile being charged as an adult. This is especially common in cases against 16-17 year old minors.

Juvenile defense attorney

If the Cedar City teenager in this case was tried as an adult for sodomy on a child, he would be facing imprisonment of 25 years to life or life without parole if the sexual abuse caused any serious bodily injury to the victim. If convicted as a minor he may still be incarcerated in juvenile detention until he reaches the age of 21. Either case would end in the boy being incarcerated before he is even old enough to drive and throughout at least the rest of his teen years. It is always best to consult with a juvenile defense attorney regarding any charges against minors, to obtain the best possible outcome with more treatment and less time behind bars.