Man arrested in connection with multiple lewd acts in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake police have arrested a man they say is a serial child predator whom they believe exposed himself to children at school playgrounds.

Donald Royce Williard, 28, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Wednesday for investigation of four counts of lewdness involving a child and two counts of lewdness involving an adult, all misdemeanors. He was released a few hours after his arrest, however, because of jail overcrowding.

Because Williard fell into the non-violent offender category, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak said he was among the top group eligible for early release because of overcrowding issues.

Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill said his office would be screening the case Tuesday.

Although he couldn't talk specifically about Williard's situation, he said early release due to jail overcrowding has been an ongoing problem.

"It continues to be a very disappointing experience for prosecutors and law enforcement," he said.

Gill said community residents should have concern if people accused of committing lewd acts against children, even if they are misdemeanors, aren't considered serious enough offenses to be held in jail.

Salt Lake police declined to reveal much information Wednesday about Williard's suspected activities, only saying he was arrested earlier this year for the same offense.

In May, Williard was arrested for investigation of gross lewdness and voyeurism, according to officials.

Salt Lake School District spokesman Jason Olsen said Williard is believed to be the man who watched children at Wasatch Elementary School, 30 North 1050 East, outside the playground Oct. 31. Authorities say the man was believed to be naked while sitting in his car A man, who was believed to be naked, was sitting in his car committing a lewd act while watching children on the playground.

It wasn't the first time the suspect from that incident is believed to have committed a lewd act in front of the school, Olsen said.

Williard was arrested Tuesday after exposing himself to an adult woman near 300 South and 1140 East, said Salt Lake police spokeswoman Lara Jones.

Detectives now fear he may be tied to several other lewdness incidents, both within the city and other jurisdictions.

"Our concern is his behavior is increasing, the frequency is increasing," she said.

Because of the man's release from jail, Olsen said Wasatch Elementary would continue with several safety projects, including the installation of slats in the playground's chain-link fence so children can't see people on the street. In addition, all teachers working recess duties will have cell phones so they can notify police immediately if they see any suspicious activity, he said.

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