Rhett David Taylor, 24, was arrested and booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility on five first-degree felony charges involving the sexual abuse of a child. The arrest follows an investigation by St. George Police detectives into allegations involving an 11-year-old girl.
According to charging documents filed in 5th District Court, the investigation began in early August after a report of alleged sexual abuse was made. A forensic interview with the juvenile indicated that the abuse allegedly began nearly two years prior and occurred multiple times. Investigators stated the alleged abuse started with inappropriate touching and eventually escalated to sexual assaults.
Court affidavits state that Taylor had access to the child and was able to influence her due to a special position of trust. Detectives also reported that Taylor allegedly used a cellphone to photograph the girl during the assaults and instructed her to send him photographs. Police stated they later obtained some of those images. Investigators noted that the alleged abuse reportedly stopped before the allegations were reported to the police.
During an interview with detectives, Taylor reportedly denied inappropriately touching the child. He faces three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of object rape of a child. Investigators stated the charges were enhanced based on the alleged undue influence Taylor held over the juvenile.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed the case on August 28. Following a preliminary waiver hearing on Sept. 2, a judge ordered that a no-bail hold remain in place. Taylor remains in custody without bail.
