Author of LDS fiction fined for misdemeanor

WEST JORDAN — The author of a popular series of LDS children's books has been sentenced on a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge stemming from a domestic incident last January.

On Monday, a 3rd District judge spared Christopher Heimerdinger jail time on one class B misdemeanor count of criminal mischief but ordered the author to pay more than $300 in fines and placed him on 12 months of probation. The court also ordered Heimerdinger to take a 16-week domestic-violence and anger-management class.

Heimerdinger was originally also charged with one misdemeanor count of domestic violence in the presence of a child but was found not guilty of that charge during a bench trial in August.

According to a Draper city police report, Heimerdinger went to the apartment of his estranged wife on Jan. 9. Police reported that Heimerdinger forced his way into the apartment by kicking in the door, breaking the dead bolt. Police say this was done in the presence of their children.

Heimerdinger is best known for his "Tennis Shoes" series of books geared toward youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including "Tennis Shoes among the Nephites," as well as numerous other LDS-themed books.

According to his Web site, (www.cheimerdinger.com), the author is described as "deeply committed to celebrating the truths and values of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his creative works."