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DUCHESNE — Investigators say a member of the Tabiona Town Council sent sexually-explicit text messages to a 14-year-old girl.
Jason Dan Hoyt, 25, was arrested Monday and booked into the Duchesne County Jail for investigation of enticing a minor over the Internet. He was later released after posting $10,000 bail.
On Sunday, authorities received an anonymous tip that Hoyt was sending inappropriate text messages to a teenage girl, Duchesne County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Travis Tucker said. Detectives interviewed the girl and another teen, whom Tucker described as a witness.
The girl showed detectives screenshots of her conversations with Hoyt, according to a jail report. In those conversations, Hoyt allegedly asked the girl if she was sexually active, if she had ever engaged in a specific sex act and if she would "go for a ride up Tabby Mountain with him," the report states.
Hoyt also asked (the girl) if he kissed her, what would she do. (The girl) responded she would just go with it.
–Jail report written by arresting detective
"Hoyt also asked (the girl) if he kissed her, what would she do," the arresting detective wrote. "(The girl) responded she would just go with it."
Detectives also interviewed Hoyt. He acknowledged sending the text messages, but said he believed the girl was 17 years old, according to investigators.
Hoyt's cellphone was seized and has been sent to the Utah State Crime Lab for forensic examination, Tucker said.
Tabiona Mayor Charlie Strebel Jr. was unaware of Hoyt's arrest until he was contacted Tuesday by KSL.
"I'm shocked. I'm just shocked," Strebel said.
Hoyt was sworn in as a member of the Tabiona Town Council in January 2014, according to Strebel. A call to Hoyt's home seeking comment on his arrest was not immediately returned.
