Four Utah County men charged with sex abuse

HIGHLAND — Four Utah County men who police say trapped two teenagers in a car and sexually abused them are facing felony charges.

Jace Blickenstaff, 20, of Lindon; Jared Holland, 18, of Pleasant Grove; Kyle Anderson, 18, of Lindon; and Shawn Havili, 18, of Pleasant Grove, have each been charged in 4th District Court with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a first-degree felony.

Police believe the men picked up the young women, ages 17 and 18, early Oct. 7, tried to remove their clothing and fondled them while driving to the Highland area. Both women told police they screamed for the men to stop, tried to keep their clothes on and repeatedly yelled to be let out of the car.

The 18-year-old was eventually released from the car and ran to call for help. The 17-year-old was also released but then got back in the car when the men told her they would return her clothes, police said. She was dropped off at American Fork Junior High and received a ride home from someone else, police said.

The four men have bailed out of the Utah County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court Nov. 18.

— Paul Koepp