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MIDVALE — A manager of a fast-food restaurant in Midvale was charged Tuesday with sexually abusing a 15-year-old female employee.
Charging documents say Jeffrey Howard Pruyne, 26, groomed the teenager, eventually telling her they were going to get married and controlling who she could talk to.
Pruyne, whose home address is listed in court documents as Rochester, New Hampshire, is charged in 3rd District Court with three counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
Pruyne was manager of a Chick-fil-A restaurant and the girl's boss, according to police. During the spring, Pruyne gave the girl special privileges at work, a promotion and went out with her outside of work, according to the charges. The girl would sometimes babysit Pruyne's children, and Pruyne would spend time with the girl's family and drive her to work.
Between April and June, Pruyne "repeatedly touched her sexually," the charges state.
"(The girl) felt like Pruyne had power over her because he was her boss at work and was an adult," the charges state. "Pruyne told (the girl) that they were 'together' and that he was going to leave his wife so he could marry (her) and they could have children together."
Police say Pruyne also made "rules" for the girl, such as she was not allowed to talk to teen boys.
A no-bail arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Pruyne.
Correction: Pruyne was the manager of a restaurant in Midvale and the case was investigated by Riverton police. An earlier version incorrectly stated Pruyne worked in Riverton.
