Husband, wife face sex counts in Utah County

PROVO — He told her she could be a second wife. She thought she loved him.

The alleged victim in a sexual abuse case told KSL Newsradio that Bret MacArthur, when they started a relationship several years ago, made her believe he wanted to make her his second wife.

His wife, Jennifer MacArthur, was fine with the idea, she said.

"It was basically based off of sex," she said.

The woman, who is now 20, said she grew up in a home with little love and affection. That's what she was looking for and all she wanted, which allowed him to manipulate her, she said.

"He had me wrapped around his little finger," she said.

She added: "I was looking for someone to love me I guess."

Bret MacArthur is charged in 4th District Court with four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Jennifer MacArthur has been charged in the same Provo-based court with three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old.

The alleged sexual acts occurred about five years ago, but the MacArthurs were arrested in November 2007 after the victim came forward.

The couple waived their preliminary hearings Monday in 4th District Court in Provo and will take the next few weeks to mull over a plea deal given by the prosecuting attorney.

"I've made the best offer I think I'm going to be able to make," said Doug Finch, deputy Utah County attorney.

If the defendants had not waived the hearing, the witness would have testified Monday.

The MacArthurs' next hearing will be May 6. They declined to comment.

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E-mail: csmith@desnews.com