Deseret News | Counseling-center worker sentenced to prison for sex offenses

Reader comments
Counseling-center worker sentenced to prison for sex offenses

TheHailstorm | 3:26 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

I have had personal experiences with this behavior with my nieces and I have always been dismayed and depressed that the woman , ( wives ), of these men know what is going on. My sister knew , and yet she did nothing but stand by while M. Allen, and his son RP continued to pressure the girls into a sick relationship of spiritual conquest, that was nothing more than greed and uncontrolled desires both resulting in aggressive actions of molestation. The woman in both cases stood by and KNEW , but did nothing to stop them ! Now they are the ones who feel as though a simple apology will wipe the slate clean. Ms. Smart exposed the internal workings of these type of men and yet we read about it weekly that the woman stood by and in some cases were accessories to the actions and corrupt behavior of their husbands or boyfriends.
Another sidelight to this is for married couples ,( or men ), who are honorable and would like to help these young adults end up being grouped with the men who are corrupt and sexually deviated.
Apologies don't count when you ask forgiveness and counseling AFTER THEY ARE CAUGHT.

Protect the Children | 4:40 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

This kind of case is getting all too common. Children need to be taught about boundaries early in their childhood and become aware how to protect themselves and their siblings from this kind of abuse. It scars the victims for life. It takes a lot of years of self-therapy and trust to become whole again. I agree that the words of this sex offender are hollow, and without sincerity. The damage is done; accountability was lacking for his actions perhaps even as a youngster. Please protect our little ones. Bring these offenders to justice. There is much more sexual abuse out there that goes unaddressed. Many women suffer in silence from abuse in childhood. It ruins marriages and is overlooked and manifests in divorce and broken homes. How do we empower children to speak up and women to stand up and clear the past to go forward? Education is only one way, besides therapy helps...some.
Matt. 18: 6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones
. . .it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Anonymous | 4:49 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

Why are we wasting money in keeping him in prison, this type of person should be executed

Comments continue below

Henroid is awsome | 4:50 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

I was a victim of securities fraud and Judge Henroid also smelled the rat that stole our families money. Unfortunatly, he only went to jail for 30 days, while being sentenced for 1-15 years. Our penal system is a joke, but at least the judges hold up their end of the bargain.

Nominate for Darwin Award | 4:54 p.m. Oct. 6, 2009

This guy should be nominated for a Darwin Award. After he gets caught, he starts harassing the family of the girl.

That certainly earned him points with the judge when it came time for sentencing.

By the time he gets out not, he probably either will not be able or interested in procreating, which as Darwin explained, the letst fit (in this case, the least intelligent) don't pass on their seed.

Without realizing it, he has actually done society a favor.

Anonymous | 7:16 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Put him in with the real prison population. See what happens then.

Executed | 8:07 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

We just had a discussion about this in our ethics class last night. I am still of the opinion that it is not our right to take the life away from someone who is not a TRUE danger to society (seriel killer etc.).
Yes this guy did something that is damaging, but we have no way of knowing if his remorse is true unless he has a chance to rehabilitate himself. The girl and her family have a choice in how they would like to move forward from this, she can either choose to be strong and learn, or break down and be a mess. What she does with it is not HIS doing any longer.
By even suggesting that he be put to death seems to be the cheap/fast way out of this. And it deny's him the right to progress back in a positive direction.
And No I'm not denying that this was traumatic... I've had a similar experience. This girl will need help to move past it, but move past it she can.

acquaintance of the defendant | 8:59 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

I agree with the judge and think that Jon belongs in prison. I know the family is hurt by him but I don't think they should lash out at Jon's wife. What wife would turn a "blind eye" to her husband cheating on her. She's also a victim.

geedub | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Put his lawyer in jail too.

Frederick Gerard Gene Depardeu | 10:20 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Have fun in jail dude.

Saintly Gent | 10:23 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Judge not that ye be not judged! Also: who is to say that he was not commanded by GOD to act as he did?

What's new | 10:27 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

People of trust, almost weekly, getting charged sentenced for having inappropriate contact with minors.

The interesting aspect is the fact that if this was a female we all know the punishment would not be close to this amount.

I don't know if this guys explanation is true or not but if this girl was throwing herself at him--it certainly contributed to the circumstance but it seems like the guy is getting punished for simply saying it.

Seems like the judge is just being vindictive because of words this guy used to explain things.

Sure what he did is wrong but is any more wrong than somebody who does the same thing and then is smart enough to just tell the judge what he wants to hear?

Silly.

Mc | 11:21 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

"Judge not that ye be not judged! Also: who is to say that he was not commanded by GOD to act as he did?"

God does not work that way. You sound like Brian David Mitchell (kidnapped Elizabeth Smart). God said, "by their fruits ye shall know them." The only fruits that come from guys like this and Mitchell are pain and heartache to everyone involved. "Wickedness never was happiness."

re:geedub | 11:40 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Are you kidding?
If not for defense attorneys the government would put many more innocent people in jail.
They are in fact some of the finest human beings I have ever met: most ethical
If you were to ever be falsely accused I guarantee you would want an attorney by your side.

I agree, I disagree | 11:57 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

re Executed | 8:07 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

I agree, this type of crime doesn't warrant execution, far from it.

I disagree, there is a way to tell if the remorse is real, a lie detector test.

Anonymous | 11:59 a.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Lead us not into temptation. Following that guidance may save many from much grief.

TO: What's new | 1:18 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

I can't believe you are not with the judge on this! It sounds like the mercy you believe the judge should have shown this guy might be based on some of your own behavioral tendencies? Whenever I here people defending really bad behavior I'm always suspect of the one doing the defending...

The reality is this guy got his just sentence, period! The fact that he's a man really should have contributed to the justice he got. He was an authoritative figure and it sounds like he was fairly manipulative as well. Men are generally stronger and have more leadership type rolls when in this kind of a setting. The fact that he's a man has everything to do with this case...

If I where the judge and considering his sentencing, I would most definitely take into consideration his statements whether written or spoken. This guy showed very little remorse and instead chose to blame the victim, who is a very troubled minor by the way. The judge saw right through his faux remorse which he stated "disgusted him". It would have disgusted me and it should have disgusted you!

Good for the judge!!

Joshthebadbear | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

I agree with Anonimouse and GeeDub + throw the defense attorney's wife in jail too ! ! !

RE: joshthebadbear | 3:57 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

perhaps you would be happier in a country where they take those accused to the backyard and shoot them.
No trial, not judge, no defense, if the police decide you are guilty, we will just have you executed along with your children and wife.
I do not know what you have against defense attorneys.
Maybe its the constitution, and bill of rights that you are opposed to?
Personally I am happy to be in a country where if I am accused I have the right to a trial and an attorney.
The other thing to consider is that if the defense attorney does not do his best the whole case could be thrown out and a sex offender would be freed.

BabyBear | 6:16 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Jon went to school on our dime and was taught over and over again what damage he would do if he did something like that to a client.

He didn't care.

Why should I ?

Sanctimonious | 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

Put him in a room with the girls father.

Punks like him want to blame everyone else for their problems.

I was having problems in my marriage.

I was having a spiritual crisis.

She threw herself at me.

How about. I am a no good sneaky pervert and deserve many,many years in prison?

disgusted | 6:42 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

This is the most one sided article I've ever seen! Of course the judge ignoring the other side too and the defense attorney being ineffective doesn't help either. I'm disgusted with the Deseret News reporting on this story, it's poorly written and offensive. This is a style of writing i would expect more from a tabloid.

lovingtheignorance | 9:53 p.m. Oct. 7, 2009

RE: Joshthebear and geedub - not enough to pass judgment on court proceedings and roles of those involved in the process that you obviously don't understand, you extend your judgment to defense attorneys and their wives? Quite a leap - and so fair. Well done, love to see your closet of perfection.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.