Boy Scout leader pleads guilty to sex abuse
OREM — A Boy Scout leader charged with sexually molesting a member of his troop pleaded guilty to reduced charges Tuesday.
Gary Wade Brown, 42, accepted a plea deal in 4th District Court and admitted guilt to four counts of sex abuse of a child and one count of sexual exploitation, all second-degree felonies, and one count of lewdness, a class A misdemeanor — offenses that will require Brown to register as a sex-offender.
Prosecutors had reduced the charges from first-degree felonies to second-degree felonies and dropped several other counts.
Brown was arrested in January after a boy came forward to report that, in 2005, he had been abused by Brown, who was his Scout leader in Orem at the time. The boy told police he had been at Brown's home when Brown began asking him sexually explicit questions, then touched the boy's genitals, according to a police affidavit. The boy said similar touching also happened in Brown's car.
When Orem police confronted Brown, he allegedly confessed to the incidents, according to the affidavit.
Brown will be sentenced July 28, and there is no agreement as to what the sentence will be, except that the state will not "actively seek" prison time, said prosecutor Julia Thomas. Both Thomas and defense attorney Shelden Carter said that, after being evaluated, Brown was considered a good candidate for treatment and therapy.
It's a tough situation for both families, who knew each other through their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward, Carter said. Yet the boy's parents have been compassionate and kind.
"I've got to commend them," Carter said. "They're not mean or vicious people. It's pretty good to see."
The boy's parents have attended every hearing and have been invested in the case, Thomas said.
"At the same time, they didn't want to put their son through a trial," she said. "They very much wanted a resolution. At the same time, they wanted (Brown) to be accountable."
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com
Recent comments
I tell my children over and over, DO NOT trust anyone, I don't care...
Anonymous | July 28, 2009 at 4:02 p.m.
What an idiot!
Skippy | June 18, 2009 at 6:23 p.m.
Q: Should the family demand financial justice? Who would pay the...
Corrections Pt. 2 | June 18, 2009 at 1:43 p.m.
- Photos: A Royal welcome 3:58 p.m.
- Bengals beat Steelers, lead AFC North 3:06 p.m.
- Johnson, Titans beats Bills 41-17 3:05 p.m.
- Bush helps Saints stay unbeaten 3:04 p.m.
- Redskins end skid with 27-17 win 2:58 p.m.
- Keys may help identify body 2:57 p.m.
- Scobee's FG lifts Jags over Jets 2:56 p.m.
- Panthers harass Ryan, beat Falcons 2:50 p.m.
- Henne helps Dolphins rally by Bucs 2:45 p.m.
- Former Ute Gross breaks right ankle 2:45 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
360 - BYU happy to escape with victory
222 - TCU creams U.
212 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - RSL heads to MLS title game
114 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Maynor has proven he is better than Price at running the offense. He is much...
BYU fan, you suffer from selective memory, a condition common among your...
At least you have basketball to look forward to. LOL!! Idaho.... at home.......
You are right, Max Hall did deserve at least a B. Would be an A against a...
His parents could, his in-laws could, his uncle Benny could, any of his...
D-Will is out 2 games on the road 1. We BLOW OUT the Sixers...we could...
"Being happy is a choice" That is like saying having cancer is a choice....
Language is an important aspect of culture and I understand the sadness...
durango also got the four corners area award as best team ...as we have...
Congrats to TCU. Great team this year I hope they get a shot at the big one....
