From Deseret News archives:
Former first-grade teacher admits he molested children
Frank Laine Hall, 36, wept as he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of attempted aggravated sexual abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies that carry a potential sentence of three years to life in prison. He also pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony that could bring a sentence of one-to-15 years in prison.
Hall admitted touching the genitals and buttocks of children for his own sexual desires and taking "indecent liberties" with one. The crimes occurred at different times between 2004 and 2006.
The "aggravated" portion of the 10 counts stems primarily from the fact that Hall was in a position of trust as a teacher, and he abused that trust.
Hall is free on $500,000 bail and was ordered to report to pretrial services on a daily basis, have no contact with the victims or any other children, and be under a form of house arrest with electronic monitoring until his sentencing Nov. 14.
When 3rd District Judge Royal Hansen asked if any family members of the victims had objections to continuing Hall's bail now that he admitted he molested children, one woman said bail was acceptable to her. But two other women told the judge they feared allowing Hall to remain out of jail.
"I worry about other children," one of them said.
Hansen warned Hall that he had "concerns" about permitting Hall even a limited freedom and told him to comply with all court orders. The judge also called for a presentence report and psychosexual evaluation.
After advising Hall of a series of legal rights that he was relinquishing as part of the plea bargain, the judge read each of the 11 criminal counts aloud.
"How do you plead, Mr. Hall?" the judge asked each time.
"Guilty, your honor," Hall said, at first in a steady voice, then wavering and, at one point, bursting into tears and putting his head down on the podium where he was standing before the court and sobbing while his attorney, David Finlayson, put a hand on his shoulder.
Later, Hall was allowed to leave the courthouse and its parking lot before the victims' families.
He had been a teacher at Rosamond Elementary School in Riverton and had received the Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education.
Prosecutor Rod Ybarra later said the plea deal was supported by all families of the victims since it would provide justice and spare the children from having to take the stand in a trial.
"These are serious crimes, and children have been very seriously traumatized. It's helpful that we not have them further traumatized by having to testify," Ybarra said.
He said the plea agreement included the one second-degree felony count of sexual abuse of a child because it will force Hall to have lifetime registration as a sex offender. For some reason, Ybarra said there is an "anomaly" in the law regarding "attempted" sexual crimes like these that call for only a 10-year sex offender registration.
"It's one of those things the Legislature needs to change," he said.
E-mail: lindat@desnews.com
