Man charged with sexually assaulting 2 teens at St. George park

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ST. GEORGE — A Maryland man was charged Thursday with sexually assaulting two teenage girls in a restroom at a St. George park.

Nicholas Micael Palazzo, 20, who police say is originally from Maryland and has only been in Utah for six months, is charged in 5th District Court with two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and forcible sodomy, first-degree felonies; two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony, and other charges.

Police were called Wednesday to the men's restroom at JC Snow Park, 275 E. 900 South, in St. George, after a witness walked in and saw two people engaged in sexual activity, according to a police booking affidavit. Emergency dispatchers were told a man and two teen girls were seen leaving the restroom.

Responding officers found Palazzo, who they believed was impaired. Police say he was "unable to tell me where he met the females other than he had just met them somewhere in St. George. (He) stated he did not know the girls' names or ages," the affidavit states.

Officers found the girls, ages 14 and 15, at another location. They said they were at another park when they met Palazzo, whom they did not previously know.

"(He) pressured them to drink his 'soda,' which after tasting it, they believed it was alcohol," according to the affidavit.

Police say Palazzo continued to flirt with the girls even after learning their ages. The girls then went to the Fiesta Fun Center to meet up with friends and Palazzo followed, the affidavit states. Afterwards, they went to Snow Park.

"While at Snow Park, (Palazzo) continued to grope the two females and kiss them. Both (girls) stated they expressed not wanting to be touched or kissed … and also again informed (Palazzo) they were minors," according to the affidavit. As the girls attempted to walk home, police say Palazzo pushed the girls into a stall in the men's bathroom and sexually assaulted them. The girls told police they were "frozen and scared."

In addition to the seven felonies, Palazzo was also charged with two counts of providing alcohol to a minor, a class A misdemeanor; and drug possession, possession of of drug paraphernalia, consuming alcohol in public place and unlawfully consuming alcohol, class B misdemeanors; as well as intoxication, a class C misdemeanor.

An initial court appearance for Palazzo is scheduled for Friday.