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PROVO — A Fourth District Court judge ruled Monday that a former Saratoga Springs police officer will stand trial on charges of having unlawful sex with an underage boy.
Aaron Rosen, 46, sat quietly in the courtroom and listened as the 16-year-old boy was questioned by prosecutors. He's facing a charge of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, a class A misdemeanor.
The charge stems from an incident in late July when Rosen allegedly went to meet up with the boy at his house following some online conversations.
While at the teen's house, charging documents say Rosen inappropriately touched him over his clothing and was in the process of disrobing when the boy's father came home.
"The defendant ran through a screen door and jumped off the second-floor balcony, got in his car and drove off," according to the charges. The boy's father chased after Rosen and got his license plate number, police say.
After listening to the boy's testimony along with that of the case detective, Fourth District Court Judge James Bradey ruled Rosen will stand trial.
"I am binding the defendant over. I do find the standard for bind over has been met. This is a class A misdemeanor," Brady said.
Rosen did not want to speak on camera Monday, but still claims he was catfished through an online meeting and believed the teenager was an adult.
Even if the relationship was consensual, any sexual activity between the two is considered illegal because of their 30-year age difference.
After listening to the teenager's testimony Monday, prosecutors said they are considering an additional criminal charge against the former police officer.
Rosen is scheduled to return to court for an arraignment hearing on Dec. 19. The judge told prosecutors any new charges in the case must be filed in advance of that hearing.
