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Jill Atwood Reporting A Lehi man and former adjunct instructor for Salt Lake Community College is in jail tonight, charged with raping an 18-year old student. And this isn't first time he's been in trouble for a sex- crime.
36-year old Roger Wilkins is listed on the Utah Sex Offender Registry for a crime back in 1993. In this latest incident police say he once again took advantage of his position of power.
Last Fall, Roger Wilkins taught a class for the hearing impaired at Salt Lake Community College. Detectives say he became attracted to an 18-year old girl, established a relationship with her outside of class, and then talked her into moving in with him.
Sgt Jeff Swenson, Lehi Police Dept.: "I think he just lured her into the position, kind of manipulated the situation that, ‘I can help you out,’ which in fact he had other thoughts in mind."
Weeks later, police say he raped her, more than once. As it turns out Wilkins has a past history for sex crimes. He's been in and out been in out of jail four times, most recently in 1993 for lewdness with a child. In that particular case, again he was in a position of power with young boys and took advantage of it.
Salt Lake Community College says it does not have a background check policy in place for its teachers, but is in the process of creating one and has been for some time. Wilkins was, of course, immediately fired.
