Ex-deputy will remain in custody

FARMINGTON — A former sheriff's officer accused of child sexual abuse will remain behind bars at least for now, following an emotional hearing Friday where some parents of his alleged victims said they feared for their children's safety.

Aaron Marcos Montoya, 32, is charged with 10 counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child for allegedly molesting nine young girls at his home and in Primary classes held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Montoya waived a preliminary hearing Friday.

"This man is a serial pedophile," one father said in an emotion-choked voice. "This man should not be let out."

But 2nd District Judge Jon Memmot said while Montoya remains innocent until proven guilty, the court needed more information on how Montoya would be supervised if he were released on bail.

Montoya's attorney, Ed Brass, asked Memmott to reduce Montoya's $500,000 bail to $100,000 and to permit his client to be kept under electronic surveillance with an ankle monitor while living with in-laws in an apartment in Salt Lake City. Brass said that as of Thursday, Montoya was no longer employed as an officer for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Montoya's bail was reduced to $100,000 a month ago by 2nd District Judge Michael Allphin, who changed his mind the next day and put Montoya back behind bars and restored the $500,000 bail.

Brass noted that Montoya, 32, is a Utah native, has a wife and children, has no prior criminal record and showed good faith by waiving the preliminary hearing. Brass said he had contacted a private agency, Judicial Supervision Services, to keep track of Montoya if he is permitted to move into the apartment.

"I'm not asking that he be released," Brass said. "I'm proposing changing the type and location of his confinement."

Brass also said Montoya would have no contact with minors except supervised visits with his own children and would not come into Davis County except for court hearings.

But neighbors and fellow church members who allege Montoya sexually abused their daughters, whose ages range from 3 to 11, asked the judge to keep bail at $500,000 because they and their children fear Montoya.

One woman wept as she described how her 5-year-old daughter has threatened to stab herself because of the emotional upheaval caused by the alleged molestation.