A Viewmont High School counselor is in the Davis County Jail without bail after a Salt Lake City police sting.
The 44-year-old senior counselor and head boys' soccer coach was booked Tuesday on one count of first-degree felony criminal solicitation of a minor and one count of second-degree felony enticing a minor, ABC4 reported. He has not been formally charged.
The Bountiful school enrolls about 1,568 students in grades 10 through 12.
According to the booking affidavit, a Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) officer posed as a 13-year-old girl on a chat website. The counselor started a conversation and sent a message asking, "Can I see you without your shirt?" according to the arrest document as reported by Gephardt Daily.
He also asked for an address where they could meet and said he would bring a condom "to prevent pregnancy," the affidavit states.
The man then arranged to meet the person he believed was a 13-year-old girl and was arrested shortly after arriving at the location, according to the affidavit as reported by KSL.
After receiving Miranda warnings, he admitted he had been speaking with underage children on the site and that some conversations were sexual, according to the affidavit. He told investigators he should have stopped once he learned the person claimed to be 13 years old. The affidavit also states he admitted to asking minors for nude photos on prior occasions and said he felt guilty afterward.
Investigators argued the counselor should be held without bail because he holds a position of trust and has regular access to children at his workplace, according to KUTV. A judge agreed and ordered no bail pending a pretrial hearing.
No hearing date has been announced.
Davis School District said it placed the counselor on leave as soon as it learned of the arrest and plans to cooperate with the investigation. As of Wednesday, Oct. 7, his profile still appeared on the school's website, according to Fox 13.
Formal charges are pending. Residents with information can contact the SLCPD.
