Retired A.F. major charged again in sex case
Charges recently dropped by federal prosecutors because of a retired Air Force major's health have been refiled.
But this time it's the Utah Attorney General's Office prosecuting the man because they believe his health concerns have not been supported by evidence.
Retired Maj. Reinaldo L. Canton, 45, accused of attempting to meet a person he thought was a 15-year-old girl for a sexual encounter, was charged in 3rd District Court recently with three counts of enticement of a minor, a class A misdemeanor, after initially being arrested in April 2007.
Canton, a resident of New Mexico, was indicted for the same incident in U.S. District Court in 2007, but the federal case was dismissed without prejudice in May after the U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to drop the case because of Canton's deteriorating health.
Court documents filed in that case said Canton had been diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition, and his attorney argued that the stress brought on by a trial would put his life at risk.
As Canton was preparing to fly to Utah for a court hearing, he was rushed to a hospital emergency room, where he was diagnosed with an "acute aortic dissection" — a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, court documents said.
Although the case was originally dismissed by federal prosecutors, the Utah Attorney General's Office feels that there are sufficient grounds to proceed with the case on the state level.
"If the defendant conceives that his health is an issue, he is free to raise it and attempt to support it with evidence," said assistant attorney general Paul Amann. "It remains to be seen what facts develop in a court of competent jurisdiction. In the federal context, the defendant's unilateral assertions with respect to his health were not contested. There has been no independent analysis of his health."
The charges filed detail an arranged sexual encounter between Canton and a person who, authorities say, he thought was a 15-year-old girl he had met on the Internet. The "girl" he had expected to meet actually was an undercover agent.
Canton was arrested on April 11, 2007, after FBI agents set up surveillance at a Layton mall, the designated meeting site for the encounter. Agents observed Canton and found that he matched photographs sent to the undercover agents during earlier chats, the charges said.
E-mail: ethomas@desnews.com
Recent comments
Doesn't the AG know that there is a Statute of Limitations on the...
SOL | July 14, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
that didnt stop them with the guy they acused in elizebeth smart case...
noot | July 6, 2009 at 11:03 a.m.
if this man's concerns enclude life threating health issues then how...
jean andersen | July 6, 2009 at 8:44 a.m.
- Mammogram guidelines spark debate 12:57 p.m.
- Man dies after SUV backs over him 12:39 p.m.
- At 6-5, hard time arguing firing Weis 12:24 p.m.
- $27M transfer for state Route 193 12:20 p.m.
- 'Christmas With King Family' DVD 12:16 p.m.
- Youn men help fill food-pantry needs 12:15 p.m.
- Who is Oprah's heir apparent? 11:39 a.m.
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25 11:34 a.m.
- Fed under fire, public anger mounts 11:28 a.m.
- No quagga mussels at Bear Lake 11:27 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
166 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
116 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
Reading the letter, I am not sure that it is eating that is the sin, but...
The media that Sarah criticizes so much is the same force that is providing...
We'll be back next year. I know it, and I hope that all of our coaches and...
This year TCU has proven to the world how weak the MWC is (MWC=WAC). BYU and...
I have no problem with religious people voting their conscience. I do,...
I have to agree that the comment about "the pesky seniors" is uncalled...
I was in my Latin class in High School in California. Our teacher hadn't...
Glenn Beck is Oprah's heir apparent since he has a larger following and can...
of atheism just as morally equal to spreading the Gospel of Christianity. To...
Yes, 40% of doctors polled said they will definitely or seriously consider...

