Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SPRING CITY, Sanpete County — A former therapist already charged with sexually abusing a young girl 30 years ago as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged ritualistic child sex abuse now faces additional charges.
David Lee Hamblin, 68, of Provo, was charged Tuesday in 6th District Court with six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. The charges were filed by Juab County Attorney Ryan Peters, who has been deputized as a special prosecutor by the Utah Attorney General's Office for this investigation.
According to charging documents, between 1990 and 1992, when Hamblin worked as a therapist out of his home in Spring City, he provided counseling services to a boy between the ages of 4 and 5. During six separate counseling sessions, the boy was sexually abused, charging documents state.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office says the victim contacted police earlier this month.
"The victim also described that Hamblin administered religious blessings during some of the therapy sessions. The victim described disclosing the abuse, but that the concerns expressed were not taken seriously because of Hamblin's standing both in the Spring City community and Hamblin's standing because of his membership in and involvement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," the sheriff's office said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday. "The victim also described being afraid that Hamblin would cause the victim injury should the abuse be disclosed to anyone outside the therapy sessions. Investigators have been able to corroborate this victim's statements with other witnesses."
Tuesday's charges come on the heels of Hamblin being arrested and charged in September in 4th District Court with three counts of sodomy on a child, two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and rape of a child, all first-degree felonies.
"David Hamblin was a licensed therapist whose license was revoked by the state of Utah due to allegations that he was sexually abusing his client(s). Through this investigation, it has been reported that David continues to perform 'therapy' under the guise of 'healing circles' and upon information and belief, the abuse may be ongoing. David Hamblin is a threat to the children and citizens of Utah County," a police booking affidavit states.
In that case, between 1986 and 1987, when the victim was between 6 and 7 years old and lived in Hamblin's Provo neighborhood, she would go to his house to play with his children. At different times while she was there, Hamblin sexually abused her under the guise of teaching her sex acts, according to charging documents, and even "gave her 'techniques' in order to 'do a good job.'" There were at least two other child victims forced to participate." That victim was also abused between 1992 and 1993 at Hamblin's home in Sanpete County, according to the charges.
Prior to Hamblin being arrested, the Utah County Sheriff's Office issued a statement in May stating it was seeking information regarding an investigation into ritualistic child sex abuse.
The day after the sheriff's office released its statement — which did not say who was being investigated — Utah County Attorney David Leavitt held a press conference claiming he was connected to the investigation because of criminal allegations made against him during an investigation into Hamblin a decade earlier and angrily accused Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith of having political motivations for the timing of the release.
When charges were filed against Hamblin in September, it was announced that Peters would also handle that case.
In 2012, Hamblin was charged with 18 first-degree felonies, including sodomy on a child, multiple counts of rape of a child and aggravated sexual abuse of a child. The case was dismissed without prejudice in 2014. Dismissing a case "without prejudice" means a prosecutor has the option of refiling charges if new evidence arises.
The alleged victim tied to the September charges is not the same as the one from 2012, according to court records.
Correction: A previous version incorrectly stated the Utah County Sheriff's Office issued a statement regarding an investigation about ritualistic child sex abuse after Hamblin's arrest. The statement was issued prior to his arrest.
