Hyrum man arrested and charged with allegedly molesting 16-year-old girl

Booking photo for Miguel J. Gutierrez-Torres (Courtesy: Cache County Jail)

LOGAN — A 44-year-old Hyrum man has been arrested for allegedly molesting a teenage girl for several years. Miguel J. Gutierrez-Torres was booked Friday night into the Cache County Jail.

According to an arrest report, law enforcement were notified of the alleged abuse after a 16-year-old girl claimed Gutierrez-Torres had touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions. The offenses were disclosed to a family member, who contacted agents at the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.

The alleged victim explained how Gutierrez-Torres inappropriately touched her breasts multiple times over the years. It reportedly began when she was between 8 and 10-years-old and happened at least 15 times.

As deputies began investigating the allegations, they discovered Gutierrez-Torres was the primary suspect in a similar sex assault investigation three years ago. The case was later closed because the alleged victim was not willing to speak to law enforcement.

Deputies interviewed Gutierrez-Torres Friday afternoon at the sheriff’s office. He denied inappropriately touching the girl and also suggested that the relationship he had with her was fine.

Gutierrez-Torres was arraigned in 1st District Court Monday afternoon, appearing by video from jail. He was charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony; and forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

Cache County Deputy Attorney Dane Murray filed a motion for Gutierrez-Torres to be held in jail without bail. He said the detention order was filed to protect the alleged victim.

Judge Angela Fonnesbeck assigned Gutierrez-Torres a public defender after finding him indigent. She ordered him to remain in jail temporarily until a detention hearing is held, Jan. 4.


 

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