Kaysville firefighter receives jail, probation for enticing minor while at work

KAYSVILLE — A Kaysville firefighter has received jail time and four years of probation for having a sexual conversation with an undercover officer pretending to be a teenage girl.

Andrew Austin Leonard, 30, pleaded guilty in March to attempting to entice a minor over the internet, a third-degree felony, as part of a plea deal.

Second District Judge Noel Hyde sentenced Leonard on June 6 to an indeterminate term of up to five years in the Utah State Prison. The sentence was suspended in favor of 64 days in jail, with credit for time already served, meaning that Leonard has already completed his jail sentence. He also received 48 months of probation.

As part of that probation, Leonard will not have access to the internet other than for employment purposes and in connection with recommended treatment services. He will also complete 40 hours of community service.

"This is something that obviously shook the family, but it brought to (Leonard's) attention and their attention what they needed to address, and so he has been working on that," defense attorney Julie George said during the sentencing hearing.

"His family has rallied around him," George added. Leonard was accompanied in court June 6 by his wife.

Leonard began an online conversation Jan. 7 with an undercover Roy police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl. The conversation turned sexual, and Leonard said at one point that he would go to jail but still asked for explicit photographs, charges said.

Leonard made comments to the "girl" such as, "You can do it. Be brave," the charges state.

The Roy officer used social media and background details from photos sent by Leonard to identify him and his place of work. When the officer went to the Kaysville fire station to arrest Leonard, Leonard admitted to asking for explicit photos and having a sexual conversation with a person he believed to be a minor, while at his job, charges said.

The Kaysville Fire Department said Leonard was fired after his arrest.

"Any allegation of a crime against children must be taken seriously. Such allegations are extremely rare, and when one occurs, we take immediate action," the statement said.

During the sentencing hearing, George said Leonard has begun receiving evaluations and treatment with the support of his family, has started a new job and has moved to West Jordan to live with relatives.

"Obviously the mistake I made changed my life drastically," Leonard said at the sentencing. He said he started the 12-step program while in jail, got into group therapy within 24 hours of being released and is working on getting into individual therapy.

"I'm excited to be able to work through my issues and become a better 'me' and move forward with my life," he added.

In January he pleaded not guilty to dealing in materials harmful to a minor, a third-degree felony, which was dismissed in March in exchange for his other plea.

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