Payson woman sentenced to prison for sexually abusing boys in youth home

Payson woman sentenced to prison for sexually abusing boys in youth home

(Juab County Jail)


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NEPHI — A former employee at a youth treatment center was sentenced to prison Friday for sexually abusing five teenage boys at the facility.

Katherine Lynn Estep, 45, of Payson, was sentenced Friday to seven concurrent terms of one to 15 years in prison, Juab County Chief Deputy Attorney AnnMarie Howard confirmed.

"I'm hopeful the young men who were victims, now that this is behind them, can make some progress and can move ahead in their lives," Howard said.

Estep pleaded guilty in June to seven counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony, while additional charges were dismissed.

Estep was originally charged with five counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, 10 counts of forcible sexual assault, a second-degree felony, and two class C misdemeanor counts of providing electronic cigarettes to minors.

Estep worked at the Journey Impact Ranch in Mona, where police say she inappropriately touched or engaged in sex acts with five boys, ages 16 and 17, seven times. In exchange, she let the teens use her phone and an e-cigarette, or gave them pills and candy, charges state.

According to charging documents, Estep told two of the teens she would give them "demerits" if they didn't comply.

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McKenzie Romero

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