Centerville man gets jail time in child sex abuse case

CENTERVILLE — A Centerville man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing one child and exposing himself to another was sentenced to jail and probation Friday.

Timothy William Bothell, 43, pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony; and lewdness involving a child, a class A misdemeanor, in December. Friday, 2nd District Judge Glen Dawson ordered the man to spend two consecutive years in jail followed by five years probation during which time the man is to have no contact with his victims or any other children under the age of 18 without court approval.

Dawson sentenced the man to three years to life in prison but suspended the jail time. He said he would also consider giving Bothell work release after he serves one year in jail. He is to report to the Davis County Jail March 8.

Bothell came to police attention after being confronted by his wife and admitting that he had inappropriate sexual contact with at least one child of a family friend. Bothell later contacted Child Protective Services, which then involved police.

Investigators identified two female victims, aged 11 and 13, who were both friends of Bothell's family. Bothell originally faced a total of six charges, but three additional misdemeanor lewdness counts and a charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, were dismissed as part of a pleas agreement.

Bothell was serving as a member of an LDS stake high council in Centerville at the time of his arrest, police said, leading to an enhancement when charges were filed because the man held a "position of trust."

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind," LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said in a written statement at the time of Bothell's arrest. "Those found guilty of these actions are subject to the demands of the law and also face church discipline. The welfare of victims is our utmost concern and church leaders will continue to offer counseling and other resources to help in the healing process."

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