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MOAB — A Moab man accused of taking pictures of children at a local community swimming pool is now facing numerous felony charges after investigators say they found hundreds of sexually explicit pictures of young girls on his phone.
Luis Alfredo Guzman, 41, was charged Tuesday in 7th District Court with 31 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.
On Friday, Moab police were called to the City Recreation and Aquatic Center on a report that "a suspicious male was taking inappropriate pictures and video of children in front of the aquatic center," according to charging documents.
Police located Guzman and asked to look at his phone. On it, they found videos and pictures of children, including at least one that appeared to be taken at the swimming area, the charges state. There were also "pictures and videos taken of women, who were clothed, working out at the gym of the Aquatic Center."
The photos and videos "indicated the male was surreptitiously videoing and recording women working out in the gym and prepubescent girls in swimsuits around the premises," a police booking affidavit states.
Guzman also "confessed to having sexual images of little girls ages ranging from 5-8 years of age" on his phone, the affidavit alleges. After reviewing the contents of his phone, police found more than 100 videos and "several hundred similar photos of similar-aged girls engaged in sexual acts and/or sexually explicit displays," according to charging documents.
Moab Police Chief Jared Garcia released a prepared statement saying that while the investigation is ongoing, none of the pornographic images appear to be of local children.
"At this time, it appears as if the explicit images were obtained through the internet and do not involve any local victims. However, due to the large amount of material discovered, it will take time to complete a thorough investigation. Additionally, there are many photos taken of women and children in Moab and the surrounding area. These images appear to have been taken in public settings, and all subjects in the photographs are clothed," the chief said.
Garcia says he recognized that "the mere act of surreptitiously filming and photographing women and children is disturbing and of great concern to the entire community." He encourages anyone who believes they may have been victimized or witnessed Guzman secretly recording others to contact the Moab Police Department at 435-259-8938.
In addition, anyone who believes they may have been a victim and needs additional support can contact the department's victim advocates at the same number.
