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SALT LAKE CITY — He was known around his Orem apartment complex as Lieutenant D.
David Morris Richards allegedly told people he was a police officer. He kept red and blue lights in his car. He had a uniform and badge.
A woman visiting the complex on July 30 saw him talking with a young girl behind a tree. His body language and the way he looked around struck her as odd so she called the Orem Police Department.
Police launched an investigation. They learned Lieutenant D often hung around with girls younger than 10, said Orem Police Sgt. Craig Martinez. He allegedly enticed them into his apartment with small gifts, treats and soda. Police say he offered them drinks until they had to use the bathroom.
Unbeknownst to them, the 54-year-old man videotaped them in the bathroom with a hidden camera, Martinez said.
Detectives seized computers, hard drives and USB drives that allegedly contain pornographic images of children. Martinez said police aren't sure how long the videotaping had gone on but have evidence dating back 18 months.
"He's lived in the same apartment for 17 years, so who knows," he said.
On Wednesday a federal grand jury indicted Richards on one count of producing child pornography, a crime that carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison. Richards remains in custody.
Email:dromboy@ksl.com
