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HURRICANE — A Utah family is worried that a man convicted of sexually abusing his daughter may be targeting other children.
They’re worried because David Gunter, of Hurricane, hasn’t been seen since a jury convicted him of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and four counts of lewdness.
On Feb. 14, a 5th District Court judge allowed Gunter’s trial to proceed even though he wasn't present. The next day, a jury returned a guilty verdict and the judge issued a warrant for Gunter’s arrest.
“He’s just a terrible individual,” said Michelle Nelson, Gunter’s former sister-in-law who lives in Bountiful. “We have seen his abusive nature. Our fear is that he is going to come after my sister and her daughter.”
Her sister and niece, who is now 15 years old, live in Washington D.C. The teen would return to Utah to visit Gunter, who had court-ordered visitation.
“Every single time my niece had to go down and visit him, we as a family, every one of us, we'd cross our fingers and we'd hope and pray she would be OK. We knew she wasn't going to be OK. We always feared that something like this would happen to her,” Nelson said.
He's just a terrible individual.
–Michelle Nelson, Gunter's former sister-in-law
Washington County prosecutors say Gunter sexually abused his daughter during a visit in the summer of 2008. Prosecutor Ryan Shaum said Gunter molested the teen and exposed himself to her.
Gunter was not considered a flight risk because he has roots in southern Utah and never missed a scheduled court appearance, Shaum said.
The prosecutor fears Gunter could now be in California or Nevada.
Nelson hopes he’s caught soon so he can’t hurt another child.
“I believe that and this is my feeling, this is not the first time he's done this and he would do it again,” Nelson said.
Gunter faces 15 years to life in prison but can’t be sentenced until he’s caught. The victim’s family has distributed “wanted” fliers in southern Utah.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hurricane Police Department at 435-635-9663 ext. 4.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
