Deseret Morning News, June 10, 2004
This teen industry attracts sadists, pediophiles and perverts. Hopefully more will be exposed.
Ex-Utah youth counselor sought by police
By Leigh Dethman
Deseret Morning News
Police are searching the nation for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted two Utah teens he counseled at a facility for troubled youths.
The Davis County Attorney's Office charged Jerome C. Moody, 48, with two counts of forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual assault and forcible sexual abuse. The aggravated sexual assault charge could bring a possible 15-years-to-life sentence, said Davis County deputy attorney Troy Rawlings.
Moody was working as a counselor at Benchmark Behavioral Health Systems in Woods Cross when the alleged abuse occurred, said Woods Cross Police Sgt. Brad Benson.
Police believe Moody could be working in Illinois or Jacksonville, Fla., Benson said.
"He may be in the same line of work wherever he's at, so we want to get him picked up as soon as possible to make sure there's not any more victims out there," Benson said.
The alleged abuse started in September 2003 and continued until Moody left his job in February, Benson said. Moody allegedly sexually abused the two boys, ages 14 and 15, multiple times throughout his tenure at the school, Benson said.
The boys did not report the abuse until about two weeks after Moody's departure, Benson said, because they feared for their safety.
"He threatened one of the two kids that if they told he'd kill them," Benson said.
Benchmark's chief executive officer, John Holter, said Moody was terminated from his job at the hospital but not because of any sexual-abuse allegations.
Moody had given notice that he was quitting his job, Holter said. But during the period after giving notice, Moody was repeatedly late to work or did not show up to work at all, Holter said.
"As a result of him not being predictable, we terminated his employment," Holter said.
Holter said Benchmark immediately notified authorities about the alleged abuse after the boys made the allegations. He was reluctant to answer many questions, because Holter said he did not want to interfere with the investigation.
"This guy needs to be accountable and responsive to charges that have been made," Holter said. "Our first responsibility is to protect these kids."
Woods Cross police issued a $100,000 warrant for Moody's arrest. Benson said he ran a criminal background check on Moody, and "there is nothing like this, that's for sure." Moody is not on the state's registered-sex-offender list.
"Hopefully, we can get him brought to justice as soon as possible," Benson said.
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