Charges: Sandy man abused mother and daughter, bit son in sexual assault

MILLCREEK — A Sandy man has been charged with sexually abusing a mother and her daughter and biting the woman's son in a sexual assault in their home.

The man was serving as branch president of an LDS Spanish-speaking branch in Midvale and was released from his church position after the incident, LDS church officials confirmed.

A 13-year-old girl told police that on May 8, "family friend" Efrey Antonio Guzman, 46, knocked on her door when she and her older brother were home alone. When Guzman learned that the brother was in the shower, "the defendant suddenly grabbed her, hugged her tightly and would not let her go," charges filed in 3rd District Court state.

The teen said Guzman started kissing her and grabbed her buttocks, but left when her brother entered the room.

On Aug. 2, she said she noticed Guzman circling the street near her home. She ran inside to tell her mother that the man was outside and the mother then locked herself in a bedroom and called for help, the charges state.

Police say Guzman knocked on the door and asked if he could talk to the 13-year-old. The mother told Guzman that he needed to leave. But Guzman allegedly pushed his way into the home and began to assault the mother. During a struggle, Guzman ripped her shirt, then grabbed her exposed breast, the charges state.

When the brother heard his mother call for help, prosecutors say he went into the front room and saw Guzman assaulting his mother. While he attempted to get the man off of her, Guzman grabbed and then bit the son's genitals, "causing severe damage that required surgery," the charges state.

Guzman is charged with aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary, first-degree felonies; and second-degree felony charges of sexual abuse of a child and forcible sexual abuse.

Guzman was president of the Union Park 9th Branch in Midvale. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Wednesday that he no longer holds that position.

"The church has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind. Mr. Guzman has been released from his church duties effective immediately and faces further church discipline following the legal process," said church spokesman Scott Trotter.

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