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RICHFIELD — A registered sex offender from Richfield has been convicted of sexually assaulting two girls, ages 13 and 16, while also providing them with methamphetamine, police say.
The events happened just seven months after the court was informed that Jared Patrick Brian was making "excellent" progress while on probation from his previous conviction.
Brian, 34, is scheduled to appear in 6th District Court on Sept. 12 for sentencing on his latest case.
Brian was convicted last month of aggravated sex abuse of a child with a prior conviction, a first-degree felony; and unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-year-old, a third-degree felony. By pleading guilty to those charges, additional charges of rape of a child, sexual exploitation of a minor, drug distribution and another count of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-year-old were dismissed, according to court records.
In November, a 13-year-old girl reported that she had been sexually abused by Brian, who also provided her with methamphetamine and alcohol on multiple occasions, according to charging documents.
The girl said she had a 16-year-old friend who had also been sexually abused by Brian and that at least one of the incidents was recorded on Brian's cellphone, the charges state.
The next day, police served a search warrant at Brian's residence where they found drugs, drug paraphernalia and seized at least six cellphones, a flash drive and a video camera, charging documents state. Investigators found several videos of Brian having sex with a girl on one of the phones, according to the charges, and were able to identify the girl as a 16-year-old.
In 2014, Brian was convicted of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and given a suspended prison sentence. In a progress report filed on March 30, 2016, to update the court on Brian's probation — just about seven months before the new allegations were raised by the 13-year-old — it was noted that Brian was making great progress.
"This agent feels Mr. Brian has made huge lifestyle changes in his life," the report states. It also indicated that Brian had been using meth everyday for five years until that point.
"Mr. Brian stated he was done with the drug lifestyle, which this agent felt would be difficult for him with the severity of his drug use over the past five years. Mr. Brian has proven he is done with the drug game," the report states. "Mr. Brian has stated numerous times that jail and probation has saved his life. Mr. Brian's overview of probation would be considered 'excellent.'"
