Sex abuser is denied parole until June 2015

UTAH STATE PRISON — A former corrections officer and LDS Primary teacher convicted of sexually abusing children — including three girls in his church class — has been denied parole.

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole announced its decision Wednesday, scheduling a June 2015 rehearing for Aaron Marcos Montoya, 37. The parole board noted that Montoya needed to complete sex-offender therapy before a decision would be made on releasing him.

"This decision is subject to review and modification by the Board of Pardons at any time, until actual release from custody," parole board chairman Curtis Garner wrote in the order.

Montoya was convicted of five counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child in 2005 and sentenced to five years to life in prison. The former Salt Lake County sheriff's corrections officer was convicted of molesting girls ages 4 to 7 in several different instances — at his home, at Pineview Reservoir and at an LDS chapel in Syracuse, where Montoya taught a Primary class.

The testimony of the girls in the church class is believed to have led to the jury's guilty verdict against Montoya. At his January parole hearing, the parole board noted that he has since accepted responsibility for his actions.

A rationale for the parole board's decision listed a number of aggravating factors for keeping Montoya in prison, including the crimes themselves, abuse of a position of trust, multiple victims, the extent of injury to the victims and community fear. Montoya's acceptance of responsibility, remorse, willingness to rehabilitate, stability and family support system were mitigating factors, the parole board said.

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