BLM employee resigns in wake of sex abuse charges

A BLM official employed at the agency's Kanab office has left his job after being charged with sex crimes.

Rex Lee Smart, 60, submitted his resignation effective Feb. 2, said BLM spokesman Larry Crutchfield.

Smart has been charged in 6th District Court with two counts of sodomy, six counts of forcible sexual abuse, two counts of kidnapping and one count of rape. All charges are first-degree felonies. He is also charged with two second-degree counts of forcible sex abuse.

According to the charges, Smart is accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl. A hearing has been scheduled for April 4.

Crutchfield said his agency's policy is to not comment on personnel matters and could not say if Smart's departure was due to the charges. According to the BLM, Smart retired.