A Tooele life coach and former long-time employee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains facing multiple felony charges, including rape of a child and aggravated sexual abuse, following an investigation into his professional practice. Douglas Grant Richens, who was arrested on March 19, 2025, at his business for allegedly manipulating and sexually abusing several clients, has faced expanded charges as additional victims have come forward.
Allegations of Grooming and Abuse
The investigation into Richens, 52, began after a woman reported that during a session on March 4, 2025, Richens smacked her on the backside and made a casual remark about the incident being inappropriate without apologizing. According to a police probable cause affidavit obtained by Floodlit, the woman also reported that other women at the business had seen Richens attempt to steer sessions toward sexual behavior.
Police investigators noted that the stories provided by these women were troubling and unprofessional, suggesting a pattern of grooming behavior. During the investigation, officers identified a third case dating back to 2020, in which a young girl claimed Richens abused her at his home. While the girl's family initially asked to drop the case because of the emotional toll, they reached out to police again on March 18, 2025, stating the girl, now a teenager, felt ready to move forward with charges.
Criminal Charges and Subpoenas
Richens, who operated a business called Gray Space Experts in Tooele, was arrested for 13 different offenses. These included 10 second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child and one misdemeanor count of sexual battery. On March 20, 2025, his charges were updated to include sodomy on a child and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, both first-degree felonies.
Following his initial arrest, prosecutors amended the charge of sodomy on a child to rape of a child, a first-degree felony. Richens has been held without bail. As reported by Floodlit, prosecutors also issued a subpoena to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 21, 2025, seeking the full and complete Human Resources file the church maintains regarding Richens.
Professional History and Licensing
Before establishing his coaching business, Richens maintained a 23-year career with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spanning from 2000 to 2023. His extensive roles within the organization included serving as a seminary teacher, the principal of Eagle Seminary, and the international director of disability services.
His professional history also included positions as the manager of special programs and services regarding crime and incarceration, and a global senior manager for special populations. He also served as the area disability administrator for seminaries and institutes of religion. Despite his professional background in disability services and leadership, a search of the Utah state website conducted during the investigation revealed that Richens held no license to practice medicine or any form of counseling.
Legal Framework for Aggravated Abuse
Under Utah law, specifically Utah Code Section 76-5-404.3, aggravated sexual abuse of a child is a first-degree felony. The statute dictates that an actor commits this offense if they occupy a position of special trust in relation to the child or if they commit the act by using force, duress, violence, or intimidation.
Penalties for this offense are severe. According to the Utah Code, a violation is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and may result in life imprisonment. If a jury finds that the defendant caused serious bodily injury during the commission of the offense, the penalty can include life without parole. The statute also addresses defendants who were previously convicted of a grievous sexual offense, which can also lead to life without parole.
Prosecution and Public Contact
The Tooele County Attorney's Office, led by County Attorney Scott Broadhead, is responsible for prosecuting all felony cases within the county. The office provides legal support to the various branches of Tooele County government and oversees the Children's Justice Center.
As the legal proceedings against Richens continue, authorities have requested that anyone who has been victimized by him or has information regarding his conduct contact local police at 435-882-5600.
