Utah crime lab scientist accused of rape, sexual abuse of 2 children


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WOODS CROSS — A Woods Cross man is accused of raping and sexually abusing two children.

Michael Hepworth, a senior forensic scientist with the Utah Department of Public Safety crime lab, was arrested late Monday at his home as officers executed a search warrant.

A jail probable cause statement stated that the mother of the two alleged victims reported Hepworth to Woods Cross police detectives on May 12.

Subsequent interviews with the teen boy and girl revealed allegations of sexual abuse that dated back years to when they were 8 and 12, according to the document.

Detectives in the statement alleged Hepworth on multiple occasions offered rides or money in exchange for sex.

The document stated that Hepworth was interviewed at the scene and “post Miranda admitted to having sexual intercourse with both victims numerous times.”

The probable cause statement also said preliminary findings at the home included child pornography.

Lt. Adam Osoro said Tuesday afternoon that the investigation was ongoing, and that detectives were being assisted by members of the Utah Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

KSL learned Tuesday that Hepworth’s area of focus at the state crime lab was forensic chemistry.

A statement from DPS said Hepworth, who had worked with the crime lab since Jan. 4, 2002, had been placed on administrative leave.

A DPS official said the department planned to conduct an internal investigation.

While it remained unclear exactly what role Hepworth played at the lab or which cases he had touched, multiple lawyers told KSL there could be potential credibility concerns down the road in court related to cases that relied upon Hepworth’s expertise or work.

“If you’re convicted of a felony, you’re telling people by that conduct that you’re not willing to follow the rules of society,” said Kent Morgan, a longtime Salt Lake County prosecutor-turned-defense attorney.

If Hepworth is convicted, Morgan said prosecutors would be required to disclose the conviction in cases they chose to try that utilized Hepworth’s work.

“That will change a case from a forensic slam dunk to ‘we don’t know how this is going to turn out,’” Morgan said. “And if the case is important, I wouldn’t prosecute it.”

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