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SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake man was sentenced to three consecutive terms of three years to life in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting three young girls.
Azeem Sardar, 27, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, as part of a plea deal and was sentenced Friday by 3rd District Judge Todd Shaughnessy. The sentence means he will likely serve a minimum of nine years in prison, depending on the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. The judge recommended that he be given credit for the two years he spent in jail.
The three girls were all between the ages of 12 and 14, and charging documents say they met Sardar on Snapchat in July 2021 and went to meet him at a nearby store after they said he offered to supply them with marijuana and nicotine. The girls were at a sleepover and sneaked away from home.
Sardar picked the girls up and took them to a park where he asked, "Who's going first?" before sexually assaulting all three girls, charging documents state. The girls said they were too afraid to say no.
None of the victims expressed a desire to speak at the sentencing hearing, according to prosecutor Dixie Jackson.
Sardar showed certificates from a Bible study course he has taken at the jail, and promised the judge he would not do anything like this again.
"I really feel bad for what I've done, and I've taken responsibility since day one," Sardar said.
Three others spoke in support of Sardar, a friend, cousin and social worker, and told the court they would support him when he is released from prison.
John Murdock, the social worker, said he has been speaking with Sardar every seven to 10 days over the last six months of his own volition, and said Sardar has been consistent and shows good qualities.
"He's genuine, he's forthright ... and consistently so," Murdock said. "He has a genuine commitment to serve others."
