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UTAH STATE PRISON — A Duchesne County man who sexually assaulted an autistic teenager at a Vernal recreation center in 2009 has been denied in his first bid for parole.
Taggart John Anderton had his first parole hearing in November. Jim Hatch, a spokesman for the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, said the board has decided not to set an early release date for the Neola man.
"They denied parole and have scheduled a rehearing for March 2014," Hatch said.
Anderton, 52, was in the men's locker room at the Uintah Community Center in March 2009 when he sexually abused a 15-year-old boy who has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. The attack took place in a toilet stall and was stopped when the boy's father returned to the locker room.
Uintah County prosecutors charged Anderton with aggravated kidnapping, forcible sodomy, forcible sex abuse, attempted forcible sex abuse, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He later pleaded guilty to reduced charges of kidnapping, attempted forcible sex abuse, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to serve at least 15 years in prison.
During his parole hearing, Anderton blamed the attack on his heavy use of methamphetamine.
The victim's father said the assault had a devastating effect on his son because of the characteristics of his disability. The man said his son now believes the abuse he endured is a normal way to interact with adults.
The family was forced to place the boy in a treatment facility to ensure his safety and the safety of others, the man said. The facility is several hours from the family's home.
In reaching its decision, the parole board considered both aggravating and mitigating factors. Among the aggravating factors it cited were the intentional nature of Anderton's offense, the extent of the emotional, financial and social injury he inflicted, and the vulnerability of his victim.
Mitigating factors included Anderton's efforts to enroll in prison programs and a lack of disciplinary problems since he's been incarcerated.
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