Ex-missionary sentenced to 180 days in sex abuse

OGDEN — A former missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been sentenced to 180 days in jail after pleading guilty to two counts of forcible sex abuse for improperly touching two female victims while they slept and videotaping his actions.

John Baysden, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of forcible sex abuse, both second-degree felonies, which potentially carry a sentence of one-to-15 years in prison. Second District Judge Pamela Heffernan dismissed two other forcible sex abuse charges and two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism.

Baysden, prior to sentencing last week, underwent a court-ordered 90-day psychosexual evaluation. The judge ordered Baysden to be on probation for 36 months, complete a sex offender therapy program and have his name put on the sex offender registry.

Police said Baysden, who is from North Carolina and was serving in Roy as part of the church's Ogden Mission, was befriended by a local family and illegally touched two young females, ages 15 and 18, while sleeping over at the home Jan. 8, 2005. One female awoke and discovered his actions and also told police Baysden had a video camera at the time.