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Ken Richens was an LDS church member and chief information officer (CIO) of Central Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Nephi, Utah.
He also worked for a time as vice president (VP) of Rural Health Management Corporation (RHMC).
Richens pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child sexual exploitation on Feb. 6, 2024.
Eight other felony charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
In April 2024, Richens was sentenced in Utah to two consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison.
Richens was the owner of “an international charity organization that provides educational support for children in Cambodia and the Philippines,” according to charging documents.
Prosecutors said his work in the charity would “bring him into contact with children particularly susceptible to sexual abuse.”
He was caught in possession of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM. It’s what used to be more commonly called “child pornography.”
FLOODLIT has communicated regularly with a victim of the accused.
We’re seeking more information about his past in the Mormon church, including whether he held any leadership callings. Also, if you have any information about this case, please let us know.
View all ongoing criminal cases involving defendants who were active LDS church members at the time of their crimes or alleged crimes.
Kenneth Richens served a full-time mission for the LDS church (Mormon church) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1982 to 1984.
Thanks to your support, FLOODLIT has obtained court documents in this case.
As of May 7, 2023, FLOODLIT is seeking information to confirm whether Richens was found guilty of forcible sex abuse, a third degree felony, in Utah in October 1989. Possible case number: 53611. Possible other case number: 19857.
As of May 7, 2023, Richens had been taken into police custody at the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane, Washington County, Utah. ID Number 650413.
A profile on Richens at an LDS missionary alumni website says: “Served in Dryden, Saskatoon and Winnepeg. Taught Canada bound Missionaries from 1982 through 1983 at the MTC.”
Facts
- Criminal: Convicted, Plea agreement, Pleaded guilty, Prison,
- Civil: No civil case,
- Positions: Missionary,
- Crime: 2020s, in Utah,
- Convicted: 2020s, 2024,
- Crime scenes: Online,
- Victims: Multiple victims,
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Born: 1963
- AKA Ken Richens
- Mission: 1982-1983 Canada Canada Winnipeg
- Places: Philippines, Utah,
Sources
- Logan Temple is site of upcoming wedding,
- Ken Richens,
- EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM,
- Utah man who works with global charity for children, charged for involvement in 'sex tourism',
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1. Logan Temple is site of upcoming wedding
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2. Ken Richens
Served in Dryden, Saskatoon and Winnepeg. Taught Canada bound Missionaries from 1982 through 1983 at the MTC.
Currently live in Nephi, Utah working as VP for Rural Health Management Corporation.
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3. EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Ken Richens – Chief Information Officer
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4. Utah man who works with global charity for children, charged for involvement in 'sex tourism'
NEPHI, Utah — A Utah man has been charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor on suspicion of his involvement in sex tourism and distribution of child pornography.
The man, identified by court documents as Kenneth Richens, has been charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Richens has not been taken into custody.
According to court documents, on March 30, law enforcement had “reason to believe” that Richens was involved in sex tourism.
Sex tourism is criminal conduct when a person travels to another nation where children are commonly trafficked for sexual abuse with the purpose of sexually abusing children in those nations.
Richens arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle Washington, returning from a trip to the Philippines and was searched at the border at which time a phone was seized from him.
Law enforcement searched the device and discovered “child sex abuse material” according to court documents.
The metadata of the photo files shows that Richens possessed them in Nephi, Utah prior to travelling to the Philippines.
According to the indictment, Richens has “traveled to the Philippines 49 times since 2011. The Philippines is a nation where sex tourism is not uncommon.”
The indictment identified Richens as being an active participant in “an international charity organization that provides educational support for children in Cambodia and the Philippines.” His work within that charity would “bring him into contact with children particularly susceptible to sexual abuse.”
On May 4, law enforcement served a warrant at Richens’ home but Richens was not there. It is believed he is still within Utah.
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.