Police say veterinarian exchanged drugs for sex with teens

MIDVALE — Police have arrested a man they say provided drugs and alcohol to teenage boys in exchange for sex.

Gary Robert Durrant, 47, was arrested last week after police searched his home near 7200 South and 700 East, said Midvale police detective Sgt. John Salazar.

"He's a sexual predator," Salazar said. "It's pretty egregious."

Last year, Durrant met a 14-year-old boy on the Internet and developed a relationship with him through chat room and telephone conversations, Salazar said. Over the course of eight months, the boy introduced four more boys, ages 14-16, to Durrant, police said.

The man would pick the boys up and take them home, where police said Durrant gave them methamphetamines and alcohol in exchange for sex.

Durrant, who is a veterinarian, was placed on probation in 2006, according to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. Durrant was investigated on allegations he wrote Viagra prescriptions using a dog's name, Salazar said.

Durrant, who was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of multiple felony offenses, was later released on bond.