- Alleged crime: 2020s, in Salt Lake County (Utah), Utah,
- Church positions: Other leader, Ward mission leader, Youth leader,
- Crime scenes: Online,
- Criminal case(s): Ongoing, Police investigation,
- Civil lawsuit(s): No civil case,
Summary
Paul Spencer was a Mormon youth temple prep class teacher and ward mission leader in Riverton, Utah.
In December 2024, Spencer was arrested and charged with several sex crimes after an undercover police investigation.
Spencer allegedly attempted to meet a 13-year-old girl to sexually assault her. He was arrested by police waiting at the place where he had arranged to meet the girl, who turned out to be an undercover detective.
FLOODLIT.org has obtained a copy of the probable cause affidavit in Spencer’s case. We’ve included portions of it in the sources section of this case report.
On Dec. 12, 2024, Spencer was charged with first degree felony object rape of a child, second degree felony sexual abuse of a child, and second degree felony enticing a minor.
The Utah court case number: 241404298
On Dec. 13, 2024, a KUTV news article reporting on Spencer’s criminal charges changed its headline and article text within four hours of publication, hiding explicit references to the LDS church.
The original article version:
The updated article version:
The article title was changed to at least a third version when we checked it at 8:35pm EST on Dec. 13: “Salt Lake County man charged with arranging to meet 13-year-old for sex in Lehi.”
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- Utah mission leader, temple prep instructor charged with numerous child sex crimes,
- Church youth instructor charged with arranging to meet 13-year-old for sex in Lehi,
- Salt Lake County man charged with arranging to meet 13-year-old for sex in Lehi,
- Probable cause affidavit,
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1. Utah mission leader, temple prep instructor charged with numerous child sex crimes
[Note: FLOODLIT believes this was the originally published version of a KUTV news article that was altered within four hours of publication.]
[the byline reads: by Danielle MacKimm, KUTV | Fri, December 13th 2024 at 9:35 AM | Updated Fri, December 13th 2024 at 9:45 AM]
SALE LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A Salt Lake County man who serves as a mission leader and temple prep instructor for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was charged with several offenses relating to child sex crimes.
Paul Spencer, 54, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 10, after a days-long undercover investigation ended when he traveled to Utah County to engage in sexual acts with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Police documents stated this investigation began on Dec. 4, when an undercover Utah County Sheriff’s Office detective posing as a 13-year-old girl on a social media platform was contacted by Spencer who identified himself as Kevin.
On Dec. 6, Spencer was advised he was chatting with a Junior High student, to which he replied, “It’s okay.” Spencer was sent photos of the alleged child and highly complimented her looks before making sexually charged statements about her. He expressed via text that he is married, understood he should not be chatting with a minor, and his fear of going to jail.
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Spencer arrived at the meeting location in his truck on Dec. 10. After driving through the parking lot of the meet location he exited and began heading to Lehi Junior High in what appeared to be an attempt to find her. The detective then messaged Spencer as the child and he immediately pulled into a driveway to turn around, replying with a text that read, “I’m almost there.” At that point, detectives made contact and took Spencer into custody.
During an interview with Utah County authorites, Spencer was adamant that he was turning around because he “changed his mind about meeting with the child,” and admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong.
Spencer later disclosed he holds a Church temple prep course for boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 17 years old. He is also a mission leader.
Spencer was booked into the Utah County Jail. On Thursday, Dec. 12, he was charged with first-degree felony attempted object rape of a minor, second-degree felony attempted sexual abuse of a child, and second-degree felony enticing a minor using the internet.
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2. Church youth instructor charged with arranging to meet 13-year-old for sex in Lehi
[Note: FLOODLIT was unable to archive the earliest version of this article before it was scrubbed to remove explicit references to the Mormon church from the headline and article text.]
[Note: 8:35pm ET 12/12/24 - the article title now reads, "Salt Lake County man charged with arranging to meet 13-year-old for sex in Lehi"]
[the byline reads: by Danielle MacKimm, KUTV | Fri, December 13th 2024 at 9:35 AM - Updated Fri, December 13th 2024 at 12:41 PM]
SALE LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A Salt Lake County man who works with adolescents in a church setting was charged with several offenses relating to child sex crimes.
Paul Spencer, 54, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 10, after a days-long undercover investigation ended when he traveled to Utah County to engage in sexual acts with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Police documents stated this investigation began on Dec. 4, when an undercover Utah County Sheriff’s Office detective posing as a 13-year-old girl on a social media platform was contacted by Spencer who identified himself as Kevin.
On Dec. 6, Spencer was advised he was chatting with a Junior High student, to which he replied, “It’s okay.” Spencer was sent photos of the alleged child and highly complimented her looks before making sexually charged statements about her. He expressed via text that he is married, understood he should not be chatting with a minor, and his fear of going to jail.
The messages between Spencer and who he believed to be the young girl went on for several more days. On Dec. 9, arrangements were made for Spencer to meet up with the girl in Lehi after she got out of school so the two could engage in sexual acts together.
Spencer arrived at the meeting location in his truck on Dec. 10. After driving through the parking lot of the meet location he exited and began heading to Lehi Junior High in what appeared to be an attempt to find her. The detective then messaged Spencer as the child and he immediately pulled into a driveway to turn around, replying with a text that read, “I’m almost there.” At that point, detectives made contact and took Spencer into custody.
During an interview with Utah County authorites, Spencer was adamant that he was turning around because he “changed his mind about meeting with the child,” and admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong.
Spencer later disclosed he works with boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 17 years old in a church setting. He is also a mission leader.
Spencer was booked into the Utah County Jail. On Thursday, Dec. 12, he was charged with first-degree felony attempted object rape of a minor, second-degree felony attempted sexual abuse of a child, and second-degree felony enticing a minor using the internet.
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3. Salt Lake County man charged with arranging to meet 13-year-old for sex in Lehi
[Note: This is at least the 3rd version of this article - "Updated Fri, December 13th 2024 at 5:27 PM"]
SALE LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A Salt Lake County man was arrested after police said he arranged to meet an officer who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.
Paul Spencer, 54, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 10, after a days-long undercover investigation ended when he traveled to Utah County to engage in sexual acts with who he believed to be a teenage girl.
Police documents stated this investigation began on Dec. 4, when an undercover Utah County Sheriff’s Office detective posing as a 13-year-old girl on a social media platform was contacted by Spencer who identified himself as Kevin.
On Dec. 6, Spencer was advised he was chatting with a junior high student, to which he replied, “It’s okay.” Spencer was sent photos of the alleged child and highly complimented her looks before making sexually charged statements about her. He expressed via text that he is married, understood he should not be chatting with a minor, and his fear of going to jail.
The messages between Spencer and who he believed to be the young girl went on for several more days. On Dec. 9, arrangements were made for Spencer to meet up with the girl in Lehi after she got out of school.
Spencer arrived at the meeting location in his truck on Dec. 10. After driving through the parking lot of the meet location he exited and began heading to Lehi Junior High in what appeared to be an attempt to find her. The detective then messaged Spencer as the child and he immediately pulled into a driveway to turn around, replying with a text that read, “I’m almost there.” At that point, detectives made contact and took Spencer into custody.
During an interview with Utah County authorities, Spencer was adamant that he was turning around because he “changed his mind about meeting with the child,” and admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong.
Officials asked the courts to hold Spencer without bail because during the arrest he told them he works with boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 17 years old in a church setting.
Spencer was booked into the Utah County Jail and charged with multiple counts, including felony attempted sexual abuse of a child and enticing a minor using the internet.
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4. Probable cause affidavit
[WARNING: graphic discussion of child sexual assault. Redactions in square brackets by FLOODLIT.]
On 12/4/2024 I began an undercover investigation posing as a 13-year-old female on a social media mobile application.*
I was quickly contacted by an adult male who identified himself as ***Kevin*** later identified as 54-year-old Paul Spencer.*
During the chat conversation it was disclosed on 12/6/2024 to Kevin that he was chatting with a female who was in Jr. High to which Kevin responded ***oh my goodness! Jr. High?! to which the child apologized and then Kevin said ***It***s ok***.
The female child sent Paul pictures of herself to which Paul would highly compliment her looks saying things such as ***You are seriously BEAUTIFUL!*** and ***you have a perfect and yummy mouth***.*
Paul then said ***I***m struggling***I need to maybe get these thoughts of wanting to kiss you out***.*
When asked why Paul said ***Because young lady***young absolutely gorgeous young lady***You are underage, and so much younger.*
And I am married***.*
This statement shows Paul understood that he should not be chatting with a child.* *
Paul expressed his fear of going to jail and ***it would be against the law if we were to meet, and I was to do all the things***.*
The child showed interest in Paul.
Paul said ***I***d be so very lucky for a moment with you.* Many moments***.*
Paul asked the child if she was a virgin and that he would [REDACTED.]*
Paul advised that He wanted to [REDACTED].****
Paul advised he would love to [REDACTED].
The child told Paul that she hadn***t even grown breasts to which Paul said ***I***m sure you have [REDACTED].*
Paul said ***I would love to [REDACTED].
On 12/7/2024 the messages continued via text message between Paul and the female child.*
Paul continued to explain that he wanted to [REDACTED].*
It was disclosed to Paul the age of the child which was 13 years old.*
Paul said ***I shouldn***t want to kiss and touch you***.*
When the 13-year-old child asked why he said ***I am 54 and you are 13 that should be reason enough***.*
The child told Paul that it was okay that they didn***t have to which Paul said ***I said***I really want to***
On 12/8/2024 there was more sexually explicit conversation between Paul and who he believed to be a 13-year-old child discussing him [REDACTED].*
Paul explained he had room in his truck, and they would find a ***safe*** place for them to engage in the sexual behavior.*
Paul explained he had a vasectomy, so the child did not need to worry about getting pregnant.*
Arrangements were made for the following day 12/9/2024 to meet for Paul and the child to engage in the discussed sexual conduct.
On 12/9/2024 Detectives were able to identify the likely vehicle Paul would be arriving in at the pre-arranged meet location where he would pick up who he believed to be a child to engage in sexual behavior.*
The pre-arranged time was 3:00 PM.*
Shortly before 3:00 PM Paul arrived in the truck that had been identified and it was found the license plate also matched.*
Paul drove through the parking lot of the meet location and then drove out.* Paul began driving towards the school where the child drove through the parking lot of the meet location and then drove out.*
Paul began driving towards the school where the child identified as theirs.*
The 13 year old female advised she was not at the meet location, Paul immediately pulled into a driveway in an attempt to turn around as he messaged back saying ***I***m almost there***.*
Detectives then took Paul into custody at this time.
Paul Spencer Interview-
Paul was interviewed and advised of his rights per Miranda.*Paul admitted that the conversation he was engaging in was bad and that he shouldn***t have done it.
Paul advised that he did drive to meet the child but when he got to the meet location he changed his mind and began to go home.*
Paul said the reason he turned around was because traffic was not moving in the direction he was going.* *
Paul was adamant that he had changed his mind about meeting with the child, that he was merely turning around to go home a different way than he was initially headed.
[...]
No Bail/High Bail Requested
During the conversation between Paul and who he believed to be a 13-year-old female, it only took Paul approximately 5 days to decide he was going to meet with her to engage in illegal sexual activity.*
Furthermore, Paul disclosed that he holds a church calling of ***Temple Prep*** instructor which during the interview Paul advised he instructs both males and females between the ages of 15-17 years old.*
This is concerning due to his unrestrained sexually explicit conversation he had with whom he believed to be a 13 year old child and his substantial steps he took meet with her.*
I fear that with Paul having direct access to children he may commit an offense against someone he has access to.
Documents
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Criminal case documents
Floodlit has a copy of a related probable cause affidavit, but it is not currently available for download. Please check back soon or contact us to request an copy.Civil case documents
We do not know of any related civil cases, so no related civil case documents exist. If you have information that suggests otherwise, please contact us.
Other documents
Floodlit does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.Timeline
- 1970: born
- Dec 9 2024:
- Utah -
- Arrested
- Dec 12 2024:
- Utah -
- Charged
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