Sentencing stayed in chiropractor's sex abuse case

AMERICAN FORK — Sentencing was stayed today for a local chiropractor who was convicted of sexually abusing a former patient and employee.

Fourth District Judge David Mortensen stayed sentencing for former American Fork chiropractor Grant Hildreth, 45, because attorneys in the case disputed the accuracy of some portions of a pre-sentencing investigation completed by Adult Probation and Parole. The sentencing date for Hildreth has been moved to June 26 at 3:30 p.m.

Carolyn Morris, defense attorney for Hildreth, said they plan to appeal the sentencing when it takes place.

"He does not deserve to spend one day in jail," she said. "He is innocent and the conviction will be overturned."

Hildreth was arrested June 11 after a former secretary went to police with concerns that she had been inappropriately touched several times by Hildreth. After news broke of the arrest, several other women came forward claiming Hildreth had also touched them in a sexual manner at his Alpha Life Chiropractic in American Fork.

A jury found Hildreth guilty March 25 on two felonies for sexually abuse.

Prior to sentencing, the accuracy of the AP&P pre-sentencing investigation was called into question because it factored in a prior conviction Hildreth received in Montana back in 1991 for felony sexual assault. That case was eventually dismissed in 2001, explained prosecutor Alex Ludlow.

The prior conviction was factored into the pre-sentencing investigation's recommendations for sentencing, but Morris said it should not be considered because the case was dismissed.

"It's a big oversight," she said of AP&P's recommendation to factor it in to sentencing recommendations for Hildreth.

Several of the women who testified against Hildreth at the trial were present at the sentencing. They spoke with Ludlow after the sentencing was postponed. He said they understand the legal process takes time, but they are anxious to see a sentence handed down.

"They're interested in having this resolved," he said.

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