Murray City Police detectives are seeking additional victims after arresting two 1-year-olds on charges of sexual abuse and lewdness involving children, according to a statement from the department. Investigators believe the suspects may have used social media applications and digital platform tracking to locate and target their victims.
Criminal Charges and Definitions
On June 24, officers arrested Yousef M. and Odai E. Ali, both 18 years old, in connection with the investigation into sexual offenses against minors. According to reporting by Gephardt Daily, both men face charges of sexual abuse of a child, which is classified as a second-degree felony, and lewdness involving a child, a Class A misdemeanor.
Yousef faces an additional charge of rape of a child, a first-degree felony. Under Utah Code Section 76-5-402.1, the crime of rape of a child involves an actor engaging in sexual intercourse or intentionally engaging in simulated intercourse with an individual younger than 14 years old.
Ongoing Police Investigation
The Murray City Police Department issued a statement expressing concern that the recent arrests may not represent an isolated incident. The department noted that ongoing investigations have revealed evidence suggesting the suspects targeted victims by tracking locations through digital platforms and various social media applications.
Detectives stated they are concerned that other individuals may have been contacted, tracked, or victimized under similar circumstances. The police department emphasized that while the arrests have been made, the investigation remains active as they look for further evidence of misconduct.
Legal Standards for Lewdness
The charges involving lewdness involve specific legal definitions regarding conduct in the presence of a child. Per Utah Code Section 76-5-420, lewdness involving a child—defined as an individual younger than 14 years old—includes acts such as exposing genitals, masturbating, or performing sexual intercourse or sodomy in the presence of a child.
The law also specifies that for individuals 18 years or older, certain behaviors constitute lewdness if done with the intent to cause alarm or gratify sexual desire. This includes simulating masturbation or simulated intercourse, as well as displaying male genitals in a turgid state, even if covered by clothing.
Penalties for Sexual Offenses
Under the Utah Criminal Code, the penalties for sexual offenses against children are severe. For a first-degree felony charge of rape of a child, an actor faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 25 years, which may extend to life. However, if the defendant was younger than 18 at the time of the offense, the life sentence provision does not apply.
Additionally, Utah law allows for a court to impose a lesser term—ranging from six to 15 years—if the defendant was under 21 at the time of the offense and the court finds such a sentence is in the interests of justice based on the specific facts of the case.
Call for Information
Murray Police are urging anyone who believes they were a victim or has information relevant to case MR26-18173 to contact the department. The police have provided several methods for contacting investigators, including the non-emergency dispatch at 801-840-4000, the Murray Police main number at 801-264-2673, or via email at policeadmin@murray.utah.gov.
The department noted that they understand coming forward is difficult but want victims to know they are not alone and that their information will be handled with sensitivity, confidentiality, and respect.
