A Utah resident, recently found not guilty of rape, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault against a minor. On February 18, Samuel Heber Johnson, 24, was charged with five felony counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 6-year-old girl. This troubling incident follows a series of accusations, as Johnson has faced a total of eight allegations of sexual assault, with previous charges filed by prosecutors on two occasions.
The latest charges arose after an arrest on February 13, where Johnson was accused of sexually assaulting the young girl and subsequently offering her mother money to prevent her from contacting law enforcement. The charges include rape of a child, sodomy of a child, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, sexual abuse of a child, and tampering with a witness.
According to the girl’s mother, she met Johnson on Facebook a few weeks prior to the incident and invited him to her home in Provo, Utah, on February 12. The mother reported that both Johnson and her daughter fell asleep on the couch while she rested in her bedroom. During the night, Johnson is alleged to have removed the child’s clothing, exposed himself, and proceeded to sexually assault her. Afterward, he reportedly apologized and claimed he wanted to “marry her,” vowing that such behavior would not recur.
Following the assault, the young girl sought comfort from her mother, stating that Johnson had been touching her. Confronted by the mother, Johnson allegedly pleaded with her not to call the police and offered her money for her silence. Alarmed, the mother called 911, which prompted Johnson to grab a knife and attempt self-harm before fleeing the scene in his van. He turned himself in the next day.
Just two weeks earlier, on January 30, Johnson had been acquitted of raping a Dixie State University student he met through Tinder, after professing his innocence in court. The police chief involved in the earlier rape case noted a troubling pattern of behavior, suggesting that Johnson may not have been a first-time offender.
As for the current charges, no court date has been established yet. One of Johnson’s previous accusers, Sarah Thompson, expressed her frustration, stating, “This case highlights the significant failures within the Utah criminal justice system.”
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In summary, Samuel Heber Johnson’s recent acquittal has been overshadowed by new, serious charges involving the sexual assault of a child, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing repeated offenses.