Zachery Kent Denison

Sources

1. Former Utah teacher charged with raping a 14-year-old student, The Salt Lake Tribune, December 8, 2020.
2. State commission takes action against teachers for sexual misconduct, inappropriate relationships / Future cases to consider sexual abuse, fraudulent forms, IDED News, September 15, 2022.
3. Former Utah middle school teacher accused of having sexual relationship with student, ABC 33/40 News, December 8, 2020.
4. Thompson School District provides details on safe hiring practices, Bethoud Weekley Surveyor, December 17, 2020.
5. Zachary Denison Case No. 22204 FINAL ORDER, IDAHO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION, February 6, 2023.
6. 2020 Overview: Part 2, Bethoud Weekly Surveyor, January 12, 2021.
7. Former Jr. High teacher charged with rape of 14-year-old , ABC 4, December 7, 2020.
8. Former Berthoud teacher charged with rape in Utah, Berthoud Weekly Surveyor, December 10, 2020.
9. Former junior high teacher charged with raping 14-year-old student, Deseret News, December 7, 2020.
10. Former Utah Teacher Charged For Allegedly Raping 14-Year-Old Student, International Business Times, December 11, 2020.
11. Former junior high teacher charged with raping 14-year-old student, KSL, December 7, 2020.
12. https://mdmh-provo.com/former-junior-high-teacher-charged-with-raping-14-year-old-student/, MDMH Provo, November 25, 2020.
13. Former Utah middle school teacher accused of having sexual relationship with student, ABC KRCR, December 9, 2020.
14. Zachary Denison / Idaho Teacher License, Idaho Department of Education, August 31, 2023.
15. STATE OF UTAH vs. ZACHERY KENT DENISON CASE NUMBER 201403349, Utah Court Records, December 7, 2020.
16. Zachery Kent Denison, Utah Department of Public Safety, May 27, 2021.

• 1. Former Utah teacher charged with raping a 14-year-old student

  • 20201208
  • News article
  • The Salt Lake Tribune

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  Mount Nebo Junior High student reported the teacher in November.

  A former Payson junior high teacher and coach is facing charges of rape after he allegedly had sex multiple times with a 14-year-old girl who was his student.

  Zachary Kent Denison, 28, has been charged in 4th District Court with four counts of rape, a first-degree felony.

  According to a probable cause statement, the victim reported the sex offense on Nov. 29. Denison, who was then a teacher Mount Nebo Junior High, first had sex with the 14-year-old in a vehicle in Payson Canyon in February 2019. The document says he continued to assault her at least once a month and “up to several times a month” for more than a year at “various locations in Utah County” — including both Denison’s home and the victim’s home.

  Denison moved to Colorado for a job as a teacher and coach at Berthoud High School — he was named that school’s boys basketball coach in October — but “would travel back to Utah occasionally where he would assault the child by having sexual intercourse with her.”

  According to police, Denison told them he “initiated contact with one of his students” while he was a teacher at Mount Nebo Junior High when he was 26 and she was 14, and he was both her teacher and her coach.

  Denison is being held without bail in the Utah County jail.

• 2. State commission takes action against teachers for sexual misconduct, inappropriate relationships / Future cases to consider sexual abuse, fraudulent forms

  • 20220915
  • News article
  • IDED News

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  Four pending cases will likely go before the PSC in December. EdNews obtained details about these cases through a public records request.

  Former Utah teacher Zachery Denison was arrested and charged with four counts of rape, after he allegedly initiated a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Denison was 26 at the time, and was the victim’s teacher and coach.

  Though Denison taught in Utah, and later Colorado, he received a teaching certificate in Idaho. The out-of-state charges are likely to result in revocation of his certificate.

  The second case involves Eric Popely, a former teacher at Pocatello’s Highland High School. He is in prison for sexually abusing a nonverbal student, and was sentenced to four to 14 years last December, according to the East Idaho News. These charges are likely to result in revocation of Popely’s certificate.

  Another pending case deals with a teacher who submitted fraudulent forms to verify her New Jersey teaching certificate in South Dakota. South Dakota’s finding could impact the status of her Idaho certificate, which she obtained in August 2021.

  The final case involves a teacher who breached his contract.

  Idaho Education News data analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this story.

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  (UPDATED, 9:46 a.m. Friday with final decisions.)

  The Idaho Professional Standards Commission took administrative action Friday against four teachers who violated the state’s Code of Ethics for educators. Violations include sexual abuse of a student, and hitting a student with a PVC pipe.

  One teacher’s certificate was revoked, and two others were suspended.
  The PSC is an 18-member volunteer board of mostly teachers, school administrators and higher education officials. It has the authority to approve, suspend and revoke teaching and administrative licenses in Idaho.

  The PSC originally planned to take action Thursday, but moved the determinations to the second day of its two-day meeting due to time concerns.

  At least four other ethics cases are pending, two involving sexual misconduct allegations. These cases are likely to go in front of the PSC in December.
  Patrick Smith – Bonneville School District

  Smith was convicted of felony injury to a child after he sexually abused a 17-year-old student. His original charge of child sexual battery was reduced as part of a plea agreement. He will not have to register as a sex offender.

  The former Technical Careers High School teacher initiated a pattern of intensifying sexual harassment against the victim, which culminated in him pulling the student against himself and forcing his hand down her pants, the Post Register reported in 2021.

  The PSC permanently revoked Smith’s certificate, an action that’s required for all cases involving crimes against children, including felony injury to a child.
  Dana Strong – Hagerman School District

  Strong, a former educator in the district, engaged in text and email communications that were “personal, unprofessional, and unbecoming of an educator,” according to the official complaint filed by chief certification officer Bethani Studebaker.

  The PSC voted to suspend Strong’s certificate for one year. He will also have to take an ethics course and boundaries course.
  Brady Swallow – Homedale School District

  While working as a physical education and weights teacher, Swallow hit a student on the leg with a PVC pipe, according to the PSC’s administrative complaint. The complaint does not outline details of the incident.

  Swallow’s certificate was suspended for one year, and he will have to take an ethics course and boundaries course.
  Randall Dalzell – Middleton School District

  Dalzell breached his contract with the district, an ethics violation.

  The PSC voted to issue Dalzell a letter of reprimand and require that he take an ethics course, along with a business course that focuses on contracts.
  Future cases to consider sexual abuse, fraudulent forms

  Four pending cases will likely go before the PSC in December. EdNews obtained details about these cases through a public records request.

  Former Utah teacher Zachery Denison was arrested and charged with four counts of rape, after he allegedly initiated a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Denison was 26 at the time, and was the victim’s teacher and coach.

  Though Denison taught in Utah, and later Colorado, he received a teaching certificate in Idaho. The out-of-state charges are likely to result in revocation of his certificate.

  The second case involves Eric Popely, a former teacher at Pocatello’s Highland High School. He is in prison for sexually abusing a nonverbal student, and was sentenced to four to 14 years last December, according to the East Idaho News. These charges are likely to result in revocation of Popely’s certificate.

  Another pending case deals with a teacher who submitted fraudulent forms to verify her New Jersey teaching certificate in South Dakota. South Dakota’s finding could impact the status of her Idaho certificate, which she obtained in August 2021.

  The final case involves a teacher who breached his contract.

  Idaho Education News data analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this story.

• 3. Former Utah middle school teacher accused of having sexual relationship with student

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  • ABC 33/40 News

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  (KUTV) — A former Utah County junior high school teacher is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student.

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, was arrested on 10 counts of rape, a first-degree felony, according to a probable cause affidavit.

  A teenage girl contacted local law enforcement on Nov. 29 to report she had been in a sexual relationship with a former school teacher and her former basketball coach, Denison, who was, then, employed at Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payson.

  The girl said the relationship lasted for nearly two years, beginning in February 2019 when she was 14. They would meet up at various locations throughout Utah and Juab County, the affidavit states.

  During an interview with police, Denison admitted to having sexual intercourse with the teen and said they shared nude photographs of one another over Instagram, according to the affidavit. Denison voluntarily gave authorities his cell phone and laptop.

  The affidavit states Denison recalled he and the teen had "sex in various locations around where the victim lived" and "one time at the victim's home."

• 4. Thompson School District provides details on safe hiring practices

  • 20201217
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  • Bethoud Weekley Surveyor

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  As reported by the Surveyor last week, former Berthoud High School (BHS) teacher and coach Zachery Kent Denison was arrested on charges of rape in Utah on Dec. 1. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, a female student told authorities that the sexual relationship with Denison began in February 2019 when she was 14 years old, while he was teaching at Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payso, Utah.

  Prior to the announcement of the arrest, Denison resigned his position as a teacher at BHS as well as his roles as an assistant football coach and head boys basketball coach. In October, Denison was named head boys basketball coach, taking over for Joel Davidson who resigned to spend more time with his family but Denison himself then resigned prior to the accusations coming to light.

  Following news of the arrest, several Berthoud residents shared on social media that they found Denison’s behavior towards female students to be “creepy” “weird” and saying he was “way too friendly” and “gave off weird vibes.” As of now, there have been no reports that Denison engaged in any illegal conduct with any Berthoud students.

  In light of the accusations, the Surveyor received inquires regarding hiring policies and procedures used in the Thompson School District (TSD) and reached out to district leadership to provide details.

  Dr. Bill Siebers, Chief Human Resources Officer for the TSD, promptly responded to the Surveyor’s request and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to provide details to the public. Applicants to submit a good deal of information pertaining to prior work experience, education, licenses and certifications and personal information which is reviewed by TSD HR before deciding to grant an interview.

  According to Siebers, “when a licensed employee applies for a position and receives an interview from the school or a department, the candidate is required to complete an application submitting all past work experiences, personal data, education, licensure/certification, professional references and legal information.”

  Upon completing the in-person interview, if the applicant is extended an offer for a position, further investigations are undertaken. As Siebers explained, “When an individual is selected for hire by the school building, the hiring administrator calls the provided references and submits a “Requisition to Hire” form to our Human Resources department. Human Resources then sends the new hire an employee packet to complete. The applicant must complete a background check through Sterling Talent Solutions and be cleared to begin employment through Human Resources.”

  Siebers continued, “Licensed staff must hold a teacher license in the state of Colorado. During the application process for a teaching license, an applicant must submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and have a valid form of government-issued identification. An applicant must also submit an official degree-conferred transcript from a regionally accredited college or university that demonstrates that a bachelor’s or higher degree was achieved.”

  Stu Boyd, Berthoud’s representative on the TSD Board of Education, referred the Surveyor to Siebers and Superintendent Dr. Marc Schaffer for inquiries pertaining to this story

• 5. Zachary Denison Case No. 22204 FINAL ORDER

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  • IDAHO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION

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  IDAHO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION
  In the matter of the certificate of: Case No. 22204
  FINAL ORDERZachary Denison,
  Respondent
  The Chief Certification Officer for the State of Idaho filed an Administrative Complaint
  against the educator certificate issued to Zachary Denison, seeking for the Professional Standards
  Commission to impose discipline on Mr. Denison’s certificate. See Idaho Code § 33-1209.
  Because Mr. Denison did not request a hearing within 30 days, and because Mr. Denison was
  determined to be in default by a hearing/presiding officer, the allegations in the Administrative
  Complaint are treated as admitted, Idaho Code § 33-1209(3), and are incorporated by reference as
  findings of fact.
  Based on these findings, the Professional Standards Commission makes the following
  findings and conclusions:
  Mr. Denison’s conduct or course of conduct violated Idaho Code § 33-1208(2), which
  applies where there is a violation of equivalent state laws in another jurisdiction.(“The
  professional standards commission shall permanently revoke any certificate issued or
  authorized under the provisions of section 33-1201, Idaho Code, and shall deny the application
  for issuance of a certificate of a person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of,
  notwithstanding the form of the judgment or withheld judgment, any of the following felony
  offenses against a child: Rape, section 18-6101, Idaho Code.”).
  Mr. Denison’s conduct or course of conduct willfully violated a principle of the code of
  ethics that was adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education. Idaho Code § 33-1208(1)(j)
  (“Willful violation of any professional code or standard of ethics or conduct, adopted by the
  F INAL ORDER - 1
  Zachary Denison
  state board of education”). Specifically, Mr. Denison violated Code of Ethics Principle II (Idaho
  Admin. Code r. 08.02.02.076.03) (“A professional educator maintains a professional relationship
  with all students, both inside and outside the physical and virtual classroom.”).
  Mr. Denison’s conduct or course of conduct willfully violated a principle of the code of
  ethics that was adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education. Idaho Code § 33-1208(1)(j)
  (“Willful violation of any professional code or standard of ethics or conduct, adopted by the
  state board of education”). Specifically, Mr. Denison violated Code of Ethics Principle III (Idaho
  Admin. Code r. 08.02.02.076.11) (“Any conduct that seriously impairs the Certificate holder’s
  ability to teach or perform his professional duties.”).
  Mr. Denison’s conduct or course of conduct violated Idaho Code § 33-
  1208(1)(e)(“Revocation, suspension, denial or surrender of a certificate in another state for any
  reason constituting grounds for revocation in this state”).
  Under Idaho Code § 33-1208, the Professional Standards Commission orders that the
  following discipline (as marked) be imposed on Mr. Denison’s certificate:
  As requested in the Administrative Complaint
  _____ The discipline requested by the Chief Certification Officer in her Request for Relief in the
  Administrative Complaint.
  Other discipline
  _____ Mr. Denison’s certificates are revoked.
  __X_ Mr. Denison’s certificates are permanently revoked under Idaho Code § 33-1208(2).
  _____ Mr. Denison’s certificates are suspended for ______ years _____ months
  _____ Mr. Denison’s certificates are suspended indefinitely pending completion of the
  following conditions:
  1.________________________________________________________________
  2.________________________________________________________________
  F INAL ORDER - 2
  Zachary Denison
  3.________________________________________________________________
  4.________________________________________________________________
  _____ Mr. Denison’s certificates have the following conditions placed upon it.
  1.________________________________________________________________
  2.________________________________________________________________
  3.________________________________________________________________
  4.________________________________________________________________
  _____ A letter of reprimand will be placed in Mr. Denison’s permanent certification file.
  This Order is effective on the day it is signed. This Order and the Administrative
  Complaint, which will be attached to this Order, are public records, and may be made available on
  the State Department of Education or the Commission’s website.
  DATED this __3__ day of February, 2023.
  ________________________________
  KAREN P YRON , M EMBER
  Idaho Professional Standards Commission
  F INAL ORDER - 3
  Zachary Denison
  RECONSIDERATION AND JUDICIAL REVIEW
  This is a final order of the Professional Standards Commission. Any party may file a
  motion for reconsideration of this order within 14 days of the service date of this order. The agency
  will dispose of the petition for reconsideration within 21 days of its receipt; if not, the petition will
  be denied as a matter of law. See Idaho Code § 67-5246. Petitions for reconsideration may be
  filed by mail addressed to the Professional Standards Commission, State Department of Education,
  P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0027, or hand delivered to the Commission at 650 West State
  Street, Second Floor, Boise, ID 83720.
  Any party aggrieved by this final order or orders previously issued in this case may seek
  judicial review of the orders in this case in district court. A party may do this by filing a petition
  for judicial review in the district court as provided in Idaho Code §§ 67-5270 and 67-5272. The
  petition must be filed within 28 days of the service date of this final order; or, if a motion for
  reconsideration is filed, within 28 days of the service of a decision on the motion for
  reconsideration or denial of the motion as a matter of law. Idaho Code § 67-5273. The filing of a
  petition for judicial review does not itself stay the effectiveness or enforcement of the agency
  action. Idaho Code § 67-5274.
  F INAL ORDER - 4
  Zachary Denison

• 6. 2020 Overview: Part 2

  • 20210112
  • News article
  • Bethoud Weekly Surveyor

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  Sexual assault conviction overturned for former Berthoud police officer

  A Colorado appeals court at the end of June overturned the 2016 sexual assault conviction of Jeremy Yachik, a former Berthoud police officer and granted a new trial in the case. In its decision that was released June 25, the appeals court ruled that the trial court “abused its discretion” and “erroneously admitted evidence” related to Yachik’s prior child abuse conviction involving the same victim. The court ruled that the evidence presented was “irrelevant, prejudicial and encouraged the jury to convict the defendant based upon … that he had a bad character” instead of convicting Yachik based on the evidence pertinent to the accusation of sexual assault. The Court wrote in its decision, “there is a reasonable probability that the graphic extensive, and detailed physical abuse evidence contributed to (Yachik’s) conviction.” A

  retrial for the alleged crimes that took place on Aug. 1, 2010 has been ordered.

  Yachik was fired from the Berthoud Police Department in October 2014.

  In a subsequent action Yachik was granted $60,000 bail by a Larimer County judge while a retrial, which was ordered by the appeals court, goes about its process.

  TPC Colorado Clubhouse Opens To Public

  The plan for a championship golf course with top-notch amenities that would put Berthoud on the map, not just locally but nationally, perhaps even globally, has been a long time coming. The original idea for what would become TPC Colorado was first presented to the Berthoud town board in in the mid-2000s.

  This month, another monumental step was taken as TPC Colorado at Heron Lakes announced the grand opening of the 60,000 square foot first-class clubhouse. “It’s very exciting for us to see it come to fruition, this has been a long time in the planning,” said John Buser, general manager at TPC Colorado. “Our ownership group did a fantas­tic job through the years acquiring the parcels to make this happen, having the vision to build it the way they did; the architects, the interior designers and ultimately TPC to manage it, it was a lot of different entities that came together to make it just what we think is a world-class facility.

  “Back the Blue” rally in Fickel Park attracted hundreds of supporters

  A “Back the Blue” rally in support of police attracted approximately 300 people to Fickel Park Sunday. Supporters stood along Mountain Avenue waving American Flags and holding signs with messages of support for law enforcement. The number of people who showed up to the park exceeded the expectations of the event’s organizer, former Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputy and military veteran Ryan Armagost.

  Rally supporters spread out throughout the park as well as lining the street. Families and people of all ages waved to vehicles as they passed, many honked horns and waved back. Armagost had intended the event to be small and predominantly attended by local residents. After posting an event announcement on Facebook about the rally several weeks ago news quickly

  spread and over a thousand people indicated they were interested in attending. Shortly after the announcement, a post was circulated on Reddit and other social media depicting a cartoon of someone urinating on an upside-down American flag, encouraging protestors to attend the rally.

  The post was shared to dozens of “anarchist” and “anti-fascist” groups in the state. Several reposts of the call to protest mentioned the events that took place at a pro-police rally in Denver the previous weekend. At that event anti-police protesters

  walked into an amphitheater banging drums, blowing whistles, clanging pots, and shouting

  obscenities to drown out the pro-police rally.

  Clashes between the groups led to some isolated

  violence. Armagost was concerned about these posts and notified the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the safety of the event. Around 10 a.m. approximately 30 protestors marched down Mountain Avenue toward the rally chanting and holding a banner that said, “Defund

  the Police.” A large group of rally attendees met the group in the road but were separated

  from the protestors by deputies attempting to get the protestors to move from the main thoroughfare to the sidewalk across from the park.

  Larimer County Fair, 2020 edition, held .

  “It wasn’t a normal year”— what may be the understatement of a lifetime is perhaps the simplest way to describe the 2020 Larimer County Fair, as it has been for so many events in recent months. Yet, unlike so many other events that were canceled due to COVID, the fair went on

  in spite of it, proving like never before that determination and resilience reign supreme in the 4-H community.

  “There was a lot of turning on a dime, trying to make decisions a week before things were happening, and not knowing what some things would look like until the last minute,” said Kathy Mason, communications specialist for Larimer County’s CSU Extension. “It wasn’t easy but we had volunteers and committees and The Ranch staff and 4-H kids who all came together and said, ‘Okay, how are we going to make this happen?’” With so many other things canceled this year, particularly for kids. Larimer County 4-H Agent Brittani Kirkland said everyone involved was determined to make fair happen, even if it wouldn’t look the same as in the past. One of the biggest changes to fair included limiting the number of people in attendance to comply with state regulations. This meant capping the number of animals each participant could show, grouping 4-Hers by last name rather than bringing everyone onto the fairgrounds at once

  and, for many the most difficult change to swallow of all, limiting guests to one adult per participant.

  Weggener Farm Park construction underway

  A small gathering of current and former town board trustees, PORT (Parks, Open Space, Recreation and Trails) committee members and town personnel met at the construction site for the Waggener Farm Park complex near the corner of Bunyan Avenue and Berthoud Parkway for a progress walk-through Tuesday evening. A groundbreaking ceremony had been scheduled for the site in March but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Berthoud Town Administrator Chris Kirk introduced the event by saying it was a time to celebrate the start of construction and have an opportunity to, “memorialize what is a very historic event in the town

  of Berthoud.”

  Cameron Peak Fire continues to grow

  Wildfires have consumed over 220 square miles of forest in Colorado since July 27. Continuing drought conditions have settled in across the entire state and weather forecasts

  show little relief with more hot and dry weather on the way.

  Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday that he has issued a 30-day state-wide ban on open fires. “We need to do everything we can to stop new fires from starting in the first place,” Polis said on Tuesday. Officials said it is being presumed that three of the four major fires in the state were man-made with one being attributed to lightning. Larimer County Commissioners on Tuesday issued a fire ban for unincorporated parts of the county. This includes restrictions on camp stoves, grills and cooking fires, welding, smoking in the open, fireworks and charcoal or wood pellet grills. The Cameron Peak Fire located in western Larimer County has exceeded 15,738

  acres or nearly 25 square miles with 0% containment on Wednesday morning. The

  southern edge of the fire is approximately 45 miles northwest of Berthoud and is nearing

  the northwest border of Rocky Mountain National Park.

  Berthoud homicide under investigation

  Larimer County Sheriff’s Office reported over the weekend a possible homicide in Berthoud.

  Deputies responded to a home in the 800 block of Douglas Place near Berthoud High School at

  1:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, after receiving a call reporting a disturbance involving a gun. When

  deputies arrived on the scene they found a 37-year-old male deceased and took another 37-year-old male into custody. A report from the Larimer County Coroner’s Office confirmed Edward Brooks Kreutzer, of Johnstown was the victim of a fatal shooting. Brandon G. McLaughlin, was booked into the Larimer County Jail Saturday on an allegation of First Degree Murder, a Class 1 Felony, with no bond.

  McLaughlin, a Johnstown resident, made his second appearance in court on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Fort Collins Justice Center where he was granted bond along with the conditions of that bond, and a future court date was established. McLaughlin is facing charges of First-Degree Murder in the fatal shooting that took place in Berthoud in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 5.

  On Wednesday, Sept. 23, the Larimer County district attorney’s office revealed that it would not file formal criminal charges against a man who was ar­rested on suspicion of murder in a fatal shooting that took place in Berthoud earlier in Septem­ber.

  Brandon McLaughlin, was arrested Sept. 5 based upon probable cause by deputies from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. McLaughlin was accused of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Edward Brooks Kreutzer, of Johnstown. Kreutzer died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide by the Larimer County coroner. McLaughlin had been granted a $100,000 bond.

  A press release sent out by the district attorney’s office explained the decision to forgo pressing charges at this time involved the pos­sibility that McLaughlin’s acts were in self-de­fense. The statement continued by saying, “The People require additional information to determine whether the defendant acted in justified defense of himself or another (affir­mative defense), and if not, whether the defen­dant acted with intent and after deliberation (required for murder in the first degree).”

  Former Berthoud teacher charged with rape in Utah

  A former Berthoud High School teacher and basketball coach has been charged with four first-degree felony charges of rape following his arrest Dec. 1 in Utah.

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, who resigned from his teaching position at Berthoud High School where he was also the boys basketball coach on Nov.1 has been accused of being in a sexual

  relationship with a former student.

  According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case the female student

  told authorities that the sexual relationship with Denison began in February

  2019 when she was 14 years old, while he was teaching at Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payson,

  Utah.

  Denison told authorities he had initiated contact with his student and reportedly confirmed that the sexual intercourse that began in 2019 was consensual. Denison surrendered a laptop and cellphone to police after allegedly stating that he and the juvenile had exchanged nude photographs through social media.

  Denison was the girl’s teacher as well as the girl’s basketball coach at the Utah middle school.

  After moving to Colorado Denison would allegedly return to Utah occasionally to meet the girl for sexual intercourse at various locations including Denison’s home and the girl’s home.

  The victim reported the sex offense to authorities Nov. 29.

  According to Utah Criminal Code the age of consent in the state is 18 years old, however for

  those over the age of 14 if the relationship was consensual the penalty is considered a third-degree felony. In this instance the first-degree charges stem from Denison holding a position of

  special trust over the victim who was under the age of 18.

  Denison is being held in the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, Utah, without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 at the Provo District Courthouse.

• 7. Former Jr. High teacher charged with rape of 14-year-old

  • 20201207
  • News article
  • ABC 4

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  PAYSON, Utah (ABC4) – A former teacher and coach at Mt. Nebo Junior High school in Payson has been charged for raping a 14-year-old girl multiple times.

  The incidents reportedly started in February 2019 when Zachery Kent Denison had sexual intercourse with a female student at the school.
  The Justice Files: Life after rape

  According to a probable cause statement, the incident happened about ten times in various locations in Utah County.

  The first incident of sexual intercourse reportedly happened in a vehicle in Payson Canyon in February 2019. According to a probable cause statement, the sexual assaults continued to happen at least once a month and up to several times a month for a year.

  The probable cause statement added that there were at least two occasions of sexual intercourse and oral sex in Orem at Denison’s residence during the months of March through June 2019.

  Denison also had sexual intercourse with the teenager in her own house in Genola, according to a probable cause statement.

  After Denison moved to Colorado, he would travel back to Utah occasionally where he would assault the teenager by having sexual intercourse with her at a home in Eagle Mountain in August and November of 2019.

  Denison is being held without bail.

  Denison has been charged with multiple counts of rape.

  This report includes discussion of sexual assault and/or rape. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100.

  Tire dump catches fire again in Juárez; officials suspect arson
  Second Summit Hard Cider shares personal tie to supporting Fork Cancer
  Utah reports 48 cyclospora cases since May, mostly linked to travel
  A Utah non-profit is partnering with law enforcement to help rescue children worldwide
  A second chance at life for Jaxson

  Click here to download the ABC4 Utah News app for the first alerts on your phone. Sign up for the ABC4 Utah breaking news and daily newsletters.

• 8. Former Berthoud teacher charged with rape in Utah

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  • Berthoud Weekly Surveyor

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  A former Berthoud High School teacher and basketball coach has been charged with four first-degree felony charges of rape following his arrest Dec. 1 in Utah.

  Photo courtesy of Utah County Jail – Zachery Kent Denison

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, who resigned from his teaching position at Berthoud High School where he was also the boys basketball coach on Nov. 1 has been accused of being in a sexual relationship with a former student. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case the female student told authorities that the sexual relationship with Denison began in February 2019 when she was 14 years old, while he was teaching at Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payson, Utah.

  Denison told authorities he had initiated contact with his student and reportedly confirmed that the sexual intercourse that began in 2019 was consensual. Denison surrendered a laptop and cellphone to police after allegedly stating that he and the juvenile had exchanged nude photographs through social media.

  Denison was the girl’s teacher as well as the girl’s basketball coach at the Utah middle school.

  After moving to Colorado Denison would allegedly return to Utah occasionally to meet the girl for sexual intercourse at various locations including Denison’s home and the girl’s home.

  The victim reported the sex offense to authorities Nov. 29.

  According to Utah Criminal Code the age of consent in the state is 18 years old however for those over the age of 14 if the relationship was consensual the penalty is considered a third-degree felony. In this instance the first-degree charges stem from Denison holding a position of special trust over the victim who was under the age of 18.

  Denison is being held in the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork, Utah, without bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 at the Provo District Courthouse.

• 9. Former junior high teacher charged with raping 14-year-old student

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  • Deseret News

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  PAYSON — A former junior high school teacher and basketball coach in Payson was charged Monday with raping a 14-year-old girl.

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, of Eagle Mountain, is charged in 4th District Court with four counts of rape, a first-degree felony.

  Starting in February 2019 when Denison was employed at Mt. Nebo Junior High, he raped a 14-year-old student at least 10 times at various locations throughout Utah County, according to charging documents.

  “The sexual assaults occurred on a continuous basis at least once a month and up to several times a month for a year,” the charges state.
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  After Denison moved to Colorado, he would still on occasion travel back to Utah to sexually assault her, according to police.

  The girl first disclosed to police what had happened in November.

  When officers interviewed Denison, he acknowledged that “he initiated contact with one of his students” and had sexual intercourse with her starting when she was 14, from about February 2019 until August of this year, a police affidavit states.

  When Denison moved to Colorado he continued teaching and coaching basketball in the small town of Berthoud, according to the affidavit. Denison told investigators he ended his employment there in early November.

• 10. Former Utah Teacher Charged For Allegedly Raping 14-Year-Old Student

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  • International Business Times

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  A former junior high teacher and coach from Utah was arrested and charged with rape for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a minor student on multiple occasions.

  Zachery Denison, who was a teacher and basketball coach at the Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payson, is facing multiple counts of rape charges after he allegedly had sex with his 14-year-old student.

  A probable cause affidavit stated the female victim reported the incident to the authorities on Nov. 29. The girl said the two had sex for the first time in February 2019 inside a vehicle parked near the Payson Canyon.

  The victim, who was 14 at the time, said she and 28-year-old Denison had sex on multiple occasions at several other locations in Utah County, including both their homes.

  Their relationship continued even after Denison moved to Colorado where he joined as a teacher and coach at Berthoud High School.

  He "would travel back to Utah occasionally where he would assault the child by having sexual intercourse with her," the affidavit stated, adding their relationship lasted for nearly two years, the Salt Lake Tribune stated.

  Following an investigation, Denison was detained for questioning during which he confessed to the police about having sexual intercourse with the girl about 10 times, the last of which was in August this year.

  He said the relationship was consensual and also confessed to sharing nude photographs of each other over Instagram chats. The affidavit stated Denison voluntarily handed over his cell phone and laptop to the authorities, Daily Herald reported.

  Following the confession, he was taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of rape. He remained in jail as of Wednesday without bail. He was scheduled to appear in court again on Dec.17.

  The incident comes months after a school teacher in Idaho was taken into custody and charged with felony sexual battery on a minor after he kissed a 17-year-old student and groped her.

• 11. Former junior high teacher charged with raping 14-year-old student

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  PAYSON — A former junior high school teacher and basketball coach in Payson was charged Monday with raping a 14-year-old girl.

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, of Eagle Mountain, is charged in 4th District Court with four counts of rape, a first-degree felony.

  Starting in February 2019 when Denison was employed at Mt. Nebo Junior High, he raped a 14-year-old student at least 10 times at various locations throughout Utah County, according to charging documents.

  "The sexual assaults occurred on a continuous basis at least once a month and up to several times a month for a year," the charges state.

  After Denison moved to Colorado, he would still on occasion travel back to Utah to sexually assault her, according to police.

  The girl first disclosed to police what had happened in November.

  When officers interviewed Denison, he acknowledged that "he initiated contact with one of his students" and had sexual intercourse with her starting when she was 14, from about February 2019 until August of this year, a police affidavit states.

  When Denison moved to Colorado he continued teaching and coaching basketball in the small town of Berthoud, according to the affidavit. Denison told investigators he ended his employment there in early November.

• 12. https://mdmh-provo.com/former-junior-high-teacher-charged-with-raping-14-year-old-student/

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  PROVO, Utah – A former junior high school teacher and basketball coach in Payson was charged Monday with raping a 14-year-old girl.

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, of Eagle Mountain, is charged in 4th District Court with four counts of rape, a first-degree felony.

  Starting in February 2019 when Denison was employed at Mt. Nebo Junior High, he raped a 14-year-old student at least 10 times at various locations throughout Utah County, according to charging documents.

  “The sexual assaults occurred on a continuous basis at least once a month and up to several times a month for a year,” the charges state.

  After Denison moved to Colorado, he would still on occasion travel back to Utah to sexually assault her, according to police.

  The girl first disclosed to police what had happened in November.

  When officers interviewed Denison, he acknowledged that “he initiated contact with one of his students” and had sexual intercourse with her starting when she was 14, from about February 2019 until August of this year, a police affidavit states.

  When Denison moved to Colorado he continued teaching and coaching basketball in the small town of Berthoud, according to the affidavit. Denison told investigators he ended his employment there in early November.

• 13. Former Utah middle school teacher accused of having sexual relationship with student

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  (KUTV) — A former Utah County junior high school teacher is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student.

  Zachery Kent Denison, 28, was arrested on 10 counts of rape, a first-degree felony, according to a probable cause affidavit.

  A teenage girl contacted local law enforcement on Nov. 29 to report she had been in a sexual relationship with a former school teacher and her former basketball coach, Denison, who was, then, employed at Mt. Nebo Junior High in Payson.

  The girl said the relationship lasted for nearly two years, beginning in February 2019 when she was 14. They would meet up at various locations throughout Utah and Juab County, the affidavit states.

  During an interview with police, Denison admitted to having sexual intercourse with the teen and said they shared nude photographs of one another over Instagram, according to the affidavit. Denison voluntarily gave authorities his cell phone and laptop.

  The affidavit states Denison recalled he and the teen had "sex in various locations around where the victim lived" and "one time at the victim's home."

• 14. Zachary Denison / Idaho Teacher License

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  If you are unable to locate your name or you have questions regarding your application status based on your information in the Certification Lookup Tool, please email us at CertAppStatus@sde.idaho.gov
  Search Criteria
  Given Names
  Family Names
  Birth Date

  Search Results
  Name Last Reported District/Charter Match %
  Zachery Denison 97.62 %
  Total items: 1
  Zachery Denison
  This public search only contains current certification and endorsement status. If you want more publically available information about this individual, you may request it here, Public Records Request
  Credential Status: Revoked
  We are not processing any applications for this person at this time.
  Endorsements/Indicators
  # Endorsement/Indicator Name Effective Date Expiration Date
  7200 Social Studies (6-12) 2/9/2018 8/31/2023
  7221 History (6-12) 2/9/2018 8/31/2023

  1

  1 - 2 of 2 items
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  Year District/Charter Contract Type Assignments
  No Contracts Found

• 15. STATE OF UTAH vs. ZACHERY KENT DENISON CASE NUMBER 201403349

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  FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT - PROVO DISTRICT COURT
  UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
  STATE OF UTAH vs. ZACHERY KENT DENISON
  CASE NUMBER 201403349 State Felony

  CHARGES
  Charge 1 - 76-5-402 - RAPE - 1st Degree Felony
  Offense Date: February 01, 2019
  Location: UTAH COUNTY, UT
  Plea: March 04, 2021 Guilty
  Disposition: March 04, 2021 Guilty

  Charge 2 - 76-5-402 - RAPE - 1st Degree Felony
  Offense Date: March 01, 2019
  Location: UTAH COUNTY, UT
  Plea: March 04, 2021 Guilty
  Disposition: March 04, 2021 Guilty

  Charge 3 - 76-5-402 - RAPE - 1st Degree Felony
  Offense Date: March 01, 2019
  Location: UTAH COUNTY, UT
  Plea: March 04, 2021 Guilty
  Disposition: March 04, 2021 Guilty

  Charge 4 - 76-5-402 - RAPE - 1st Degree Felony
  Offense Date: August 01, 2019
  Location: UTAH COUNTY, UT
  Plea: March 04, 2021 Guilty
  Disposition: March 04, 2021 Guilty

  SENTENCE PRISON

  Based on the defendant's conviction of RAPE a 1stDegree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than five years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.

  Based on the defendant's conviction of RAPE a 1stDegree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than five years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
  The prison term is suspended.

  Based on the defendant's conviction of RAPE a 1stDegree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than five years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
  The prison term is suspended.

  Based on the defendant's conviction of RAPE a 1stDegree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than five years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
  The prison term is suspended.

  To the UTAH County Sheriff: The defendant is remanded to your custody for transportation to the Utah State Prison where the defendant will be confined.

  SENTENCE RECOMMENDATION NOTE
  The court recommends credit for time served on this case.

  05-27-2021 67 Filed order: SENTENCE, JUDGMENT, COMMITMENT
  Judge ROBERT LUND
  Signed May 27, 2021
  05-27-2021 Judgment # 1 Entered 2,212.00 chrislc
  Creditor : STATE DEBT COLLECTION
  Creditor : STATE OF UTAH
  Debtor : ZACHERY KENT DENISON
  2,212.00 Fine
  2,212.00 Judgment Grand Total
  05-27-2021 Note: The balance of 2,212.00 for Fine on this case has been transferred to the Utah Office of State Debt Collection (OSDC) for collection purposes. Any payment made must be made to OSDC.
  05-28-2021 68 Filed: Return of Electronic Notification
  05-28-2021 69 Filed return: Return of Service of Continuous Protective Order
  Party Served: DENISON, ZACHERY KENT
  Service Type: Personal
  Service Date: May 27, 2021
  Garnishee:
  05-28-2021 Case Closed
  Disposition Judge is ROBERT LUND
  05-29-2021 70 Filed: Return of Electronic Notification
  03-17-2023 Note: Attorney DAVID LEAVITT Bar Number 5990 Bar State UT Auto Withdraw
  01-06-2025 Judge KASEY L WRIGHT assigned.
  08-04-2026 01:49 PM Page 9 of
  CASE NUMBER: 201403349 State Felony9

• 16. Zachery Kent Denison

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  Name: Zachery Kent DENISON Registration #: 10659256
  Aliases:
  Status: Active

  Physical Description
  • Age: 34 (DOB: 06/18/1992) • Height: 5'08''
  • Sex: M • Weight: 140lbs
  • Race: White • Eyes: Blue
  • Hair: Blonde
  • Scars/Tattoos:

  Address
  [REDACTED], UT 84005
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  Other Known Addresses
  Offenses
  • Description: 76-5-402 - RAPE/1ST DEGREE FELONY
  • Date Convicted: 05/27/2021
  • Conviction State: Utah
  • Release Date:
  • Details:
  • Counts: 4