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SALT LAKE CITY — A former U.S. Air Force major pleaded guilty Wednesday to using the Internet to solicit sex with a 14-year-old, according to documents released by the Utah Attorney General's Office.
Reinaldo Canton, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor, a class A misdemeanor, moments before he was scheduled to go to trial, the documents state.
"Justice was delayed in this case but justice will come to anyone who tries to get away with having sex with children," said assistant attorney general Paul Amann.
The attorney general's office described the plea as the end to a "long, drawn out legal ordeal." Canton was arrested in April 2007 after having a series of Internet conversations with an undercover police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. The documents state that Canton's conversations quickly turned to sex and he arranged to meet the girl at a Davis County mall to have sex with her. Canton was working as a rocket science program manager for the Air Force in Albuquerque, N.M., at the time.
At the time of his arrest, Canton told investigators he went to the meeting to have dinner and warn the girl about the dangers of the Internet. Federal charges were dropped after Canton claimed his health would not permit him to attend court proceedings in Utah.
The FBI later discovered photos of Canton snowmobiling with his family in December 2010 and a waiver signed by Canton indicating his health was good. Canton failed to appear at his next hearing and sent a letter from a psychiatrist stating the stress of appearing in court would adversely affect his health.
"This defendant has a doctorate degree and he seemed to think everyone was stupid enough to believe he was either physically or mentally too ill to face the consequences of his crime," said Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.
Canton entered a Sery Plea, which indicates an admittance of guilt with an intent to challenge Utah's statute of limitations law. His sentencing is scheduled in 3rd District Court at 9 a.m. on Aug. 22.
Email:benwood@desnews.com
