Alleged crime: 2020s, 
Alleged crime city:
UT - Salt Lake City, - Alleged crime county:
Salt Lake,
- Alleged crime state:
Utah,
LDS positions: LDS status unknown, - During alleged crime: Unknown position,
- LDS mission:
unknown - Alleged:
Multiple victims, Unknown number of victims,
- Alleged crime scenes:
Online,
- Criminal case(s): Ongoing,
- Alleged church actions: Unknown church action,
updated Feb 9, 2026 - request update | add info
Alleged crime: 
Alleged crime city:
Alleged crime county:
Alleged crime state:
LDS positions: 
Alleged:
Alleged crime scenes:
Kelly Jay Carter was a former Battalion Chief in the Salt Lake City Fire Department from approximately 2016 to 2025.
Carter began working for the Salt Lake City Fire Department on Sept. 11, 2000. He retired from the department on Dec. 15, 2025.
A cryptocurrency company filed a tip line report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, citing purchases from a crypto wallet that were used to obtain CSAM. Carter was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Friday, February 6, 2026, on suspicion of ten felony charges of child sexual exploitation.
According to KSL, police found hundreds of CSAM files dating back to 2020.
Floodlit obtained a copy of the police probable cause affidavit in Carter’s case, thanks to your donations.
According to the police affidavit:
“On February 5, 2026, agents with the ICAC Task Force contacted Kelly Carter at his residence in Salt Lake County. Post Miranda Warning, Kelly Carter admitted to owning the reported cryptocurrency account along with the associated email address. Kelly Carter admitted to purchasing a subscription to the site with intent to view CSAM. Kelly Carter admitted to viewing the CSAM on his iPhone only while he was at work for the month the subscription was active. Kelly Carter was a firefighter at the time and explained he worked 48-hour shifts and worked 10 days a month, so he viewed the CSAM 10 days that month.”
Kelly Carter Mormon church membership history: Seeking information
Floodlit is seeking information on Carter’s LDS membership at the time of his alleged crime. Our initial research suggests that he was possibly raised in the LDS church. He was married in 1992; his wedding reception was held at an LDS stake center.
If you have any information about Kelly Carter’s church membership history, please contact us.
Another former Salt Lake City area firefighter, Brady Hansen, is also listed in Floodlit’s database.
Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.
As an independent newsroom, FLOODLIT relies on your generous support to make thousands of reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon church available. If you find our work helpful, please consider donating! Thank you so much for helping us shine a light.
Sources
- Former SLC fire battalion chief arrested, accused of posessing hundreds of child sex abuse images,
- Kelly Carter submission #3488391 ,
-
1. Former SLC fire battalion chief arrested, accused of posessing hundreds of child sex abuse images
SALT LAKE CITY — A former Salt Lake City Fire Department division chief was arrested on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to a booking affidavit, Kelly Jay Carter, 51, was accused of using a cryptocurrency account to purchase images of child sexual abuse material.
A cryptocurrency company filed a CyperTipline report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, claiming that a wallet was used to purchase images of child sexual abuse material. The wallet was allegedly traced back to Carter.
Internet Crimes Against Children task force agents contacted Carter about the alleged transaction. Carter admitted to owning the wallet and using it to purchase a single month’s subscription to a website that hosted explicit images, according to the affidavit.
Carter allegedly told police he had only viewed explicit images while at work for the duration of the subscription.
According to police documents, police searched Carter’s iPhone and allegedly found hundreds of files of child sexual abuse material, with at least one file dating back to 2020.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department released a statement regarding the allegations against Carter.
“Recently, the Salt Lake City Fire Department received information regarding serious allegations of misconduct involving former Battalion Chief, Kelly Carter. He was hired on 9/11/2000 and retired 12/15/2025. While the investigation proceeds, the department will cooperate with any law enforcement requests. We are committed to maintaining public trust and upholding the values of accountability and transparency. The Salt Lake City Fire Department remains dedicated to serving and protecting the community with professionalism and integrity.”
Carter retired from the Salt Lake City Fire Department on Dec. 15, 2025 after serving with them for more than 25 years.
Carter was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Friday.
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2. Kelly Carter submission #3488391
SALT LAKE COUNTY JAIL Salt Lake City District 3488391 2026-02-06 KELLY CARTER
from pc affidavit:
"Kelly Carter is booked into the Salt Lake County jail on ten counts of F2 - Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Kelly Carter admitted to owning the reported cryptocurrency account (and associated email) which purchased a subscription to a site that sells CSAM. Kelly Carter admitted to being aroused by and masturbating to CSAM. Kelly Carter has been viewing CSAM for at least 6 years. Evidence of CSAM was found on Kelly Carter's iPhone."
Documents
Have docs or info? Add information
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
Floodlit does not have a copy of a related civil complaint. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.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.Add information
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