Deseret News | LDS seminary principal is arrested in sexual abuse

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LDS seminary principal is arrested in sexual abuse

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KT | 5:56 p.m. July 13, 2009

I have a hard time believing this. I knew him; he was a good, spiritual man.

Its both their faults | 6:00 p.m. July 13, 2009

I had bro pratt as a teacher in seminary and he helped me with so many problems. He was a great man that made bad decisions. but then again so did the girl. it was all consensual and she needs to take some of the blame as well. she knew he was married and had kids. and yes he should have stopped everything. but in my eyes it is BOTH their faults not just his.
and my prayers go out to his wife and kids. I know them personally and this is a devastating trial.

Nonsense | 6:29 p.m. July 13, 2009

Not both their faults. Mr Pratt is a married man messing around with a teenager. He is bad guy no matter how much he pulls the wool over few half brained twits out there.

Comments continue below

Any girl's praising Pratt? | 6:53 p.m. July 13, 2009

Most students praising Pratt are young men, his preference is young girls, of course he was cool to them... you aren't his m.o. People, don't be naive with your kids, teachers, religious or not, need protection. You never know who is a preditor. Utah isn't "Happy Valley" and the safe place you all think it is. It is the best place for predators to find victims. We lived there for years, I found kids left in carseats and had police place them into court custody, found 2 year old kids walking Freedom Blvd. and another 6 year old who was walking around the parking lot of Target while his mom shopped in the store. The mentalilty is so naive. Not all Utahans are ignorant, but the majority really have no clue. I did high school there for a bit. The kids have more pressure there to be than kids from other states to do wrong. Trust me, I lived it. I saw kids intentionally do bad things for attention. It wasn't like that where I grew up or where I live now. LPHS is one of those schools. My family goes there, its bad.

Jerkster | 6:56 p.m. July 13, 2009

Hey jerkster, Old Pratt was married old soul, and married old soul was he. He is totally to blame. The girl trusted the old fool and got caught in his sexual trap.

Confused | 7:18 p.m. July 13, 2009

Many posters have said there is "serious" evidence in this case. Is there really? What is it. Text messages. How hard is it to take someones cell without them knowing and send a lot of text messages?

To: Confused | 8:17 p.m. July 13, 2009

"How hard is it to take someones cell without them knowing and send a lot of text messages?"

When that someone is your teacher who you supposedly only see for an hour a day, five days a week? When, as somebody who teaches for a living, his cell phone would most likely be shut up inside his office, probably locked in his briefcase, during class? Unless, of course, it was in his pocket the way so many others carry around their phone.

Um, the answer to that would be "pretty darn hard." Cell phones save the dates of the messages. If they were all sent on the same day within an hour or two, the police would know that and would be able to discount it as evidence.

Not any more..... | 8:25 p.m. July 13, 2009

"Good, decent men still make mistakes"

Good, decent men make mistakes. Good, decent men don't make mistakes like this. Sounds like at some point he was a good guy. A lot of water has to go under the bridge to take you from a good person to someone who does the things he is reported to have done with this underage girl. Even worse because she was under his spiritual responsibilities.

Give me a break... | 12:28 a.m. July 14, 2009

What's with all this malarkey written on here that this guy was a spiritual man? ARE YOU PEOPLE OFF YOUR ROCKERS,INSANE OR WHAT?!?!

DR. KNOW

not unique | 3:51 a.m. July 14, 2009

To all those people who know this man and are shocked and feel sympathy, lets see what you say when the next perp that you don't know is brought to justice. Slanderings and harsh judgments will follow! To all you that know him and sit home and look up the registerd sex offenders with complete disgust and no sympathy to those you dont know, may your eyes be opened to that fact that this case is not unique. Whenever anyone is accused those that know the individual are usaully shocked. I myself will leave judgment to the united states judicial system, so thay may investigate and find the truth. may you open your eyes and feel sympathy for not only this man, but all that have commited such crimes. may your thoughts and actions be christ like, and not just like a christian.

WOW! So similar to another... | 9:21 a.m. July 14, 2009

In my hometown (not in UT) there was a charismatic preacher with three daughters. Everyone LOVED him, adored his family and appreciate the youth groups he led. They admired the purity rings he gave his girls to wear on their left ring finger until their wedding ring replaced it.

In short, the guy could do no wrong. He was spiritual, amazing, inspiring...life changing! for so many teenagers.

But he was also molesting teenage and pre-teen girls as a side job...and at least one neice. It all hit the fan over a decade later when three very brave girls came forward (and nearly 20 others followed suit). At his hearing there was a HUGE crowd of supporters on his side--standing room only--and only family members on the accusing side.

And then the EVIDENCE came out. And it was sick. And wrong. And even more sick. The faces of the supporting crowd were shocked, then appalled, then gaping open in disbelief. This man used his authority and position to sexually exploit these girls, some for YEARS. A married, sexually-active man knows the consequences of sex. A minor DOES NOT.

Just another mortal man | 10:45 a.m. July 14, 2009

Re 5:50 July 13 question.

My wife did not dump me, but it might have been less painful if she had. Let's just say that the interpersonal repercussions were rather drastic. She stayed with me because she is good at math. Living on a fraction of what I make is not as comfortable for her as keeping it all while continuing to make me pay for my indiscretions.

P in Mexifornia | 11:09 a.m. July 14, 2009

Here's the deal- if he's guilty, he needs to do time; we all agree on that. However, if this or any other female makes false allegations (like in the Duke Lacrosse rape case); that female should be prosecuted and sentenced to the same term in jail that the male who she falsely accussed would have served. False allegations destory lives permanently and destroy the credibility of the those females who have been legitimately victimized. If people knew that they would receive the same jail sentence of the perpetrator if they brought forth false allegations, the false allegations would stop.

Anonymous | 11:11 a.m. July 14, 2009

to anonymous and can't believe it from July 12, so sad that you have to judge ALL the people from one religion based on one persons actions (wheather they are true or not) and a few other peoples opinions, seriously get real!! man will never be immune to the possibilty of sinning no matter who they are but that has nothing nor will ever have anything to do with wheather or not God lives and that Jesus Christ is our savior and that Joseph Smith saw them both and helped restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Being a member of the church does not mean that they are perfect and anyone who thinks that really just doesn't get the whole big picture, very sad.:(

SJB | 12:40 p.m. July 14, 2009

"if this or any other female makes false allegations (like in the Duke Lacrosse rape case); that female should be prosecuted and sentenced to the same term in jail that the male who she falsely accussed would have served. False allegations destory lives permanently and destroy the credibility of the those females who have been legitimately victimized. If people knew that they would receive the same jail sentence of the perpetrator if they brought forth false allegations, the false allegations would stop."

Amen to that! However, there are far more perpetrators that go free because the crimes aren't reported than people who are falsely accused and are convicted!

sadder but wiser mom | 2:10 p.m. July 14, 2009

I am as shocked as the rest of you about this arrest since Pratt is a member of my stake, but I also know that if he has been arrested, they have good reasons. After failing to get a man arrested for drugging and raping my daughter, I know that the police will not arrest unless they have enough evidence to convict. Luckily for my daughter, her assailant repeated his crime, and she will get justice.

LdG | 3:22 p.m. July 14, 2009

DesNews is such a strange place——in some ways, the tone of the comments here is almost frighteningly predictable. If Mr. Pratt had belonged to some other denomination, these comments would have been the cyberspace equivalent of a lynch-mob, hungry for blood. However, he is a seminary teacher, hence so many tearful testimonials about what a good man he was, and how you don't believe these accusations. As "sadder but wiser" said (Jul 14, 2:10 PM), the police would not have made a move unless the evidence was already fairly damning. As someone who was sexually abused by a temple-recommend-holding returned missionary, all the converts he had (and all the grateful students Pratt had) don't change anything for the victim. That 16-year-old girl is going to live with the effects of this forever. I hope her parents find her a good psychologist, and I hope she never reads this post with all the comments suggesting false accusation. Comparing this event to the Duke rape case is disgusting; this girl is a high-school student, not a stripper/escort. There is no equivalence whatsoever.

Double Life? | 5:29 p.m. July 14, 2009

Has anyone ever heard of SEXUAL ADDICTION? My family has been dealing with this for awhile now and NO ONE would have ever suspected this person to have this problem! Sex Addicts live a double life!!! They have to hide their addiction from loved ones and from being "found out". They can be the most upstanding citizen, Bishop, Priest, whoever. They have simply allowed themselves to feel so much shame/"not good enough" throughout their lives that they turn to their addiction as a pain relief, just as any alcoholic, drug user, etc. Satan very much has a hold on these poor souls who have YES...made the choices themselves to allow Satan to work through them. My heart goes out to his wife and children for the years of suffering they most definitely have already experienced in private, dealing with Jekyl and Hyde. And for the girl, I have been there, I pray that she will get help for the shame she will feel for this so she does not search for "love" for the rest of her life. I pray that both of these families find LIFESTAR!!!!

can't the picture go? | 5:38 p.m. July 14, 2009

I need to stop reading all these comments. Every time I sign on that bewildered guy is staring at me.

Anonymous | 5:52 p.m. July 14, 2009

I wonder how many of the posters saying "Innocent until proven guilty" feel the same way about the two young men downtown ticketed for trespassing?

Naive& sheltered students | 12:04 p.m. July 15, 2009

It is very apparent that students in the Viewmont and Lone Peak school, Suburbia, have many sheltered teens that think their world is perfect.

Wake the heck up, predators are not the false stereotypical person of color in a dark alley rapists. They are all around, church leaders, coworkers, family. They are charismatic and start believing in their own hype and cross the line. He was a teacher and a church leader, it is all on his shoulders. He was paid to teach and be responsible.

A Seminary Leader need not be "cool" and hip", that is not their job, their job is to teach and extend spirituality, not be cool and flirt.

I don't believe any of this. | 2:36 p.m. July 15, 2009

I had Brother Pratt as my first seminary teacher. He saved me. Truly he did. If all this is true, what a scummy, sick thing for someone to do who was so AMAZING. Until truth comes out, I do not believe any of this. If you knew Brother Pratt he is the least likely person who would ever do anything like this.

Everyone please stop the judgements until we really know what is going on.

Dave | 3:52 p.m. July 15, 2009

why do so many people say "i dont believe it, he did good things for my faith/family."? cant he have done good things but still done bad things too?

Everyone does both. We are complex beings. We get too narrow minded when we start labeling people as good or bad "fountains"

I agree with the people that say wait for a conviction, but if and when that happens, I will be able to believe that he did these awful things and ALSO believe that he has done much good. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Double life? | 3:53 p.m. July 15, 2009

Anyone can devote a life to "saving souls" in order to make up for a guilty conscience. People live double lives and this is possible here too. Glad he helped some people but if he crossed the line, he crosse the line no matter how "Amazing he is or was.

BTW, Can we find another adjective besides "AMAZING"? Please people, use a thesaurus.

Just a thought.... | 4:28 p.m. July 15, 2009

I’m sure the police had nothing better to do than make up & put in a probable cause statement that this man:

1-"Checked the girl out of school without her parents knowledge at least 3 times”.

2- “Took her up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls, where he touched her breasts & genital area & kissed her".

3- "Began a sexual relationship with the girl in May.

4-Met or traveled to numerous locations around Utah County to engage in sexual acts, including oral sex".

5- "Sent a lot of sexually-explicit text messages back and forth." One of which apparently referred to their private parts saying: “Roxy misses Ricky”.

6-“Was seen skinny dipping in the pond in Goshen with her by someone watching in a car.”

THEN...

7- The police arrested him on suspicion of:

3 counts of aggravated kidnapping.
Unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old.
Aggravated forcible sexual abuse.
10 counts of forcible sodomy.
Object rape.
Lewdness.
3 counts of burglary.
Criminal trespassing.
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
10 counts of enticing a minor.

I'm sure NONE of this is true.

Go down to the courthouse & get the probable cause statement.

Learning experience | 4:37 p.m. July 15, 2009

"Until truth comes out, I do not believe any of this. If you knew Brother Pratt he is the least likely person who would ever do anything like this."

The older I get (56), the more I find out there are many Brother Pratts. All is not what it seems in life.

He saved no one. | 4:45 p.m. July 15, 2009

To everyone who said he "saved my life", or something similar, all I have to say is he did not. He may have shown you a path, but it was you who made the choice to let the Savior into your life. Brother Pratt has saved no one. To say that he has is blasphemous. There is only ONE who can save. I feel bad for all those who say that he is the only reason that they are in the church. Your testimony better not be based on him, because is he is convicted your testimonies may go down with him.

Thesaurus? | 5:06 p.m. July 15, 2009

Thesaurus? What's that? Some kind of AMAZING Dinosaur?

JP II | 6:05 p.m. July 15, 2009

I concur with LdG's comments. I have tried to post comments SIX times here and the Deseret News has not allowed them to be posted because I have raised the issue that the LDS Church has not done enough to protect children and teens from abuse, it has not instituted the safeguards and programs that other churches have with regard to child abuse, touching safely, and other background checks and safeguard that are in place. The LDS Church should never have allowed any employee, teacher, volunteer or lay member or clergy (I realize that they do not have a professional clergy) to be alone with a child in a car, park, or other private place, without another adult present or in the office or proximity and without the parent's consent. This is a clear case of negligence and child abuse. Shame on the LDS church for not protecting its children and teens. I am sure this comment will NOT be posted.

Ken V. | 9:31 a.m. July 16, 2009

These allegations describe some pretty despicable behavior.
It’s truly sad when a great man falls so far.
And exceedingly sad when a young woman is seduced in this fashion.

On the one hand, I sure hope these accusations turn out to be false and the accused is vindicated.
On the other, if they are false and the alleged victim is the source, that is one sick girl.
But true or false, this man’s life is ruined. His family’s probably also.

Please | 1:47 p.m. July 16, 2009

Of COURSE he was a "super nice guy who was always there for [you.]" He's a predator. That's how the game is played. "Oh, you're having a hard time? I'm here for you. I understand you..." yada yada let's go up Provo Canyon and we can look at my Enos.

Seminary Student | 12:12 p.m. July 17, 2009

Nobody beleived Ted Bundy could be a serial rapist/murdurer, after all he was a very charasmatic man who worked very hard for the republican party in Utah and respected all things moral.

Reality | 3:25 p.m. July 17, 2009

After graduating from seminary a few years ago, I found out that my once highly respected and loved seminary teacher was hooked on prescription drugs and had been having multiple affairs all through out his marriage. All while teaching seminary to us all. It was quite a crush to all of us who knew him. To those students of Lone Peak, welcome to the real world where good people let you down and do bad things.

anonymous | 3:58 p.m. July 17, 2009

I think it's ridiculous to say the girl is innocent. But I also do know things sometimes happen to people early on in their life that make them maybe not care about themselves, so maybe this is why she consented. But everyone makes mistakes. EVERYONE. I don't think the girl or Pratt are bad people. I can promise that Pratt was a good man, and really does have a good heart. And I'm sure the whole time he was doing these things he knew it was wrong. Temptation is strong. And pornography is SICK and WRONG. But it's out there. And it's the main cause for problems like this. I hope that everyone will stop beating up on Pratt cause you have all made mistakes too. Maybe not as serious, but we can be forgiven. My prayers go out to the families, the girl, AND PRATT.

Anonymous | 4:11 p.m. July 17, 2009

Some of you are real jerks. My prayers go out to EVERYONE involved. Even Pratt. Everyone makes mistakes. Some obviously more serious that others. Because he did this doesn't make him a bad person. He's still a good person, he just obviously really fell into what temptation brought upon. Yes it was his choice, AND THE GIRLS, but they are both good people I'm sure. This is very wrong, I know. I'm very aware. But who are you to judge? Not a single one of you. Not a single one! You guys are so mean and inconsiderate. I'm sure this is just eating at Pratt and the girl. Let them feel their guilt. Let them serve their consequences. Grow up people.

K,M,S, | 9:16 p.m. July 17, 2009

I knew Bro. Pratt when he taught at Orem High School during my senior year. He was such an awesome teacher. I could always feel the spirit whenever he was teaching. I can't even imagine what him and his family and the victim and her family are all going through. It's just hard to believe that an amazing person like Bro. Pratt could do what he is being accused of doing. Now to tie everything together here is a quote that I really like: All the water in the world, no matter how it tried, could never sink the smallest ship unless it got inside, and all the evil in the world, the darkest kind of sin, could never hurt you in the least unless you let it in.

Anonymous | 9:22 p.m. July 18, 2009

I don't know this man, and I also wish this story weren't true but,

The article says,

"Police discovered hundreds of text messages, several of which were sexually explicit and included references to genitalia."

Don't you think that's proof that he's guilty?

Jeff | 11:30 p.m. July 18, 2009

This is a sad story. But what I think is more sad is the perception of those who were taught and influenced by Brother Pratt. Yes, he was a good man in the past. Yes, he had a postive influence on many. BUT REMEMBER, even the most elect can fall. Never, never, never place your trust in a man or a woman. Your faith must solely be placed in Jesus Christ. You may follow the prophet because God has stated he will not lead you astray. Everyone else, including parents, you should never place an undying trust.

SJB | 4:04 p.m. July 21, 2009

"Thesaurus? What's that? Some kind of AMAZING Dinosaur?"

I certainly hope that this is a joke (a really bad one)! If it's not, the education system in this country has truly hit rock bottom in just the few years since I graduated!!!

Anonymous | 12:12 a.m. July 27, 2009

im just worrying about the girl. i was wondering why she never told anyone and why she let him do these things to her. she should of told her parents long before her moralaliities were trespassed. he knows better than to do these things.

Only one way to know | 11:41 a.m. Aug. 4, 2009

Even if he is convicted there is no way that i will ever believe this. He taught me in high school, was one my biggest heroes for forever and he is someone that i will never forget. People can say what they like but i'm going to wait for the real judgement after this life to see if he really did it. After feeling this mans spirit, being inspired by him, and feeling his love for everyone I don't believe that he has done this. So, people can say what they like but i will always love this man, and hold him in highest regard. He is a giant among men, even though he's short ;), and anyone that's ever met him knows this is NOT something he would do ever. I'll wait for the conviction but at the same time i don't believe even that will settle it. The only way to really know is to wait for the final judgement after this life. Brother Pratt you are the most amazing man ever, don't let anyone convince you otherwise!!! My heart and love go out to you and your family.

Ex-Mormon | 3:16 p.m. Aug. 9, 2009

This story is disgusting, but your comments are more disgusting. Many of you have defended Pratt by saying that he "changed your life" or he was "the most amazing man ever". Really? I highly doubt that. None of you know what he did in his private life. Obviously the text messages and skinny dipping that was WITNESSED are enough to get him convicted for at least some jail time.

What I take from this story is that the LDS "church" creates sexually stunted people by telling it's members that they should only have sex after marriage. Granted, other people commit sex crimes or desire underage girls, but I have seen some very creepy men in the "church". It's too bad all you can do is blame Satan, because he doesn't exist. These actions came from Pratt, and not some supernatural being that told him to sodomize and kidnap a 16-year-old student.

Sheep | 3:19 p.m. Aug. 13, 2009

Come on people. Have you never heard the phrase wolf in sheeps clothing. What better place for a perv to hide than as a religious leader. Its exactly the same as catholic priests. Pull your heads out of the sand or where ever you have them shoved. You have been duped just like you were duped by Joe Smith & Brigham Young.

Dana Thompson | 7:49 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

I'm LDS, and if he's guilty I want the law to throw the book at him. Why? He held a position of authority, and as such grossly misused his authority and trust. Was the girl a victim, yes, and no. No more so than an 18 year old and a college professor, but that does NOT excuse his actions. Let this stand as a deterrent.

Religiously speaking there are no excuses. As a member I can say we don't believe mercy can rob justice. The law will have it's run, and his salvation is between himself and God.

Stephanie | 6:12 p.m. Oct. 22, 2009

When i got an email about this on facebook, i about died. he was my seminary teacher in junior high and he was amazing. i can not see him doing this to anyone, he respected us, he helped us through everything. he made me want to go to seminary so bad. he changed peoples lives. even though he did this i forgive him and give him my rock [you would only get the rock thing if you were in his class]. i feel pain for his family and the girls. but this isn't just his falt, the girl was doing it too; so you shouldn't just blame him. Bro. P was and will alway's be my favorite teacher no matter what he did, what he taught was true, and even if he did this it doesn't make the teachings he taught wrong. i want you all to know he was a good man and a good teacher. and it still blows me away that he did this.

He's not alone | 12:20 p.m. Nov. 17, 2009

Another Seminary principal named Keith Burkhart from AZ used to have very inappropriate relations with underage girls that he had influence over. It is a dangerous trap for youth to become attached to their leaders, and believe that they cannot be influenced to do wrong. Was Mr. Pratt a good man? Perhaps he was described as one at one point. But the overwhelming facts are that when the choice was placed before him, he was unable to live the laws that he taught his students. His decisions, like all of ours, bring consequences. His decisions will ruin the lives of his wife, kids and victim, not to mention the hundreds of students who have looked up to him, or that would have been able to benefit from his teaching style, had he been able to live the very things that he was preaching. This is a horrible and terrible story.

I hope all the future Mr. Pratt's and Mr. Burkhart's of the world will learn from the evil decisions of their predecessors.

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