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HIGHLAND — Criminal charges were filed Monday against a Utah entrepreneur, accusing him of sexually abusing a teenage girl.
Daniel D. Taggart, 50, of Highland, was charged in 4th District Court with two counts of object rape, a first-degree felony; forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony; forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; two counts of dealing in harmful materials to a minor, a third-degree felony; and two counts of supplying alcohol to a minor, a class A misdemeanor.
On June 15, 2014, Taggart's daughter had a 15-year-old friend spend the night at their house. Taggart supplied the girls with alcohol as they played games, according to charging documents. Shot glasses and sex toys were offered as "prizes" for the games.
After the daughter had apparently fallen asleep, the friend told police he turned on a pornographic video and sexually assaulted her, according to the charges.
On July 10, 2014, the girl returned to Taggart's house for another sleepover, and he again provided her with alcohol, turned on a pornographic movie and sexually assaulted her, the charges state.
Police say Taggart's daughter confirmed details of incidents when she was awake.
"Defendant, post-Miranda, acknowledged the sleepover and the games, but denied drinking, providing alcohol or any other incriminating act," Lone Peak police officer Dave Ventrano wrote in the charges.
Taggart has been a successful entrepreneur in Utah. He cofounded Ancestry.com in 1997, but is no longer with the company. He is currently the CEO of CubbyCode Inc. and Kringles Toys and Gifts, according to his profile on LinkedIn. He co-founded LDSAudio.com in September of 2003 and was CEO for a year. In 1990, he co-founded and ran Infobases, Inc. for six years.
Taggart was arrested Wednesday and booked into Utah County Jail. Other than traffic citations, court records show Taggart has no other criminal history in Utah.
