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Sam Penrod Reporting...While the Orem man was sent to prison on a sentence of three years to life, parents of others who claim to be victims say they want to see him kept there even longer.
Carl Jensen still faces at least ten other charges related to molesting young children. All together at least 15 victims have come forward.
And victims of his crimes say today's sentence will end the fear they've had while Jensen was out on bail, the first step in ending a disturbing and tragic situation for many families.
Carl Jensen was sentenced this morning to three years to life in prison, on a felony count of child sex abuse.
Shelly Erickson/Parent of Victim: "WE'VE WAITED SO LONG AND WORKED SO HARD TO GET HERE AND THAT'S WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE."
Jensen has faced numerous accusations of abuse that have surfaced over the last two years. But the charges of abuse span a ten-year period. Some victims were relatives others were from his neighborhood.
Shelly Erickson/Parent of Victim: "HE TOOK CHILDREN TO THE RESTROOM AND THAT'S WHERE HE MOLESTED MY CHILDREN, AND OTHER CHILDREN SO THERE'S PROBABLY OTHER VICTIMS OUT THERE THAT ARE SO YOUNG THEY DON'T EVEN REALIZE THEY WERE MOLESTED BY HIM."
Today's sentence was handed down after the suspect entered guilty pleas to keep some of his victims from having to testify in court.
Some family members and neighbors of the alleged victims have pressured authorities to prosecute Jensen to the fullest extent of the law.
Alan Smith/Neighbor: "IT MEANS A LOT TO ME THAT HE IS GOING TO PRISON TODAY AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP HIM THERE, THANKS TO THE BOARD OF PARDONS, AND THAT'S WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE."
But Jensen faces ten other felony charges of child sex abuse and accusations against him from other children appear to be headed to trial.
Those trials are scheduled for the fall and defense attorneys say they will fight the charges in court.
Mike Esplin/Defense Attorney: “WE INTEND TO DEFEND THE REST OF THE CHARGES, THESE WORKED OUT, THOSE HAVEN'T SO WE'RE GOING TO GO TO TRIAL."
Parents of Jensen's victims say the entire situation has caused pain and suffering for the entire family.
Shelly Erickson/Parent of Victim: "IT'S SAD TO SAY YOU HAVE TO BE HAPPY TO SEE SOMEONE IS GOING TO PRISON, BUT HE NEEDS TO BE THERE AND THE CHILDREN OF UTAH COUNTY AND THE STATE OF UTAH ARE SAFER TODAY BECAUSE HE CANNOT HURT ANYMORE CHILDREN."
Trials in the other cases are set for later this fall.
Carl Jensen will not be eligible for parole on this sentence for at least three years.
