EAGLE MOUNTAIN — A Cottonwood Heights man was charged Tuesday with abusing and robbing his grandparents.
Raymond Wesley Pease, 23, is charged in 4th District Court with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; two counts of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, robbery and theft, second-degree felonies; abuse of a vulnerable adult and illegal discharge of a firearm, third-degree felonies; and causing property damage, a class B misdemeanor.
Starting in February, investigators say Pease started staying occasionally with his grandparents, ages 76 and 78, in Eagle Mountain but he "was violent toward his grandparents on many occasions," according to charging documents. "One time (he) became angry with (his grandmother) and struck her in the throat, leaving her unable to breathe until she was able to get to her oxygen."
On another occasion, he threw his grandmother to the ground, spat on her and threatened "to shoot her family and grandchildren," the charges state.
While cleaning up debris from a figurine and clock that Pease broke, the grandmother says he "came up with a gun and shot the wall in front of her," according to charging documents.
Pease is also accused of hitting his grandfather "numerous times with his fists, one time enough that (he) lost consciousness," the charges state. Prosecutors say the grandfather "has memory loss from the abuse."
Pease is also accused of taking approximately $15,000 from his grandfather's Social Security checks, the charges allege.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Utah Survivor Services: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
