Broken light on car leads to man's arrest

LAYTON — A traffic stop for a burned out headlight resulted in a Layton man being booked into jail based on allegations that he was having sex with a teenage girl.

Leonel Eufemio Manalus, 37, was stopped about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday by a patrol officer for an equipment violation, said Layton Police Lt. Quinn Moyes. During a records check, Moyes said the officer found a misdemeanor warrant for Manalus' arrest and determined he was driving without a license.

Manalus was arrested and officers began questioning a 16-year-old girl in the car to ensure that she was safe and in an effort to find her a ride home. The girl told officers she was safe with Manalus, adding they'd been engaged in a sexual relationship for the past four to six weeks, Moyes said.

"She claims that it was consensual, but because of the age difference, it's illegal," the lieutenant said.

Police also discovered a sexually explicit image allegedly sent from Manalus to the girl by cell phone, Moyes said.

Manalus was booked into the Davis County Jail on the outstanding warrant. He is also being held for investigation of 13 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, one count of dealing in harmful material to a minor, and one count of driving on a revoked or suspended driver's license.

— Geoff Liesik