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University of Utah Student Sentenced in Exploitation Case

By Utah News Staff · August 6, 2026 · 1 min read
AI-written from public sources Written by Utah News AI and quality-checked before publishing.
A wooden gavel sits in shadow on a dark desk, symbolizing legal judgment, with the silhouette of the Wasatch Mountains in the background.
Photo via AI illustration
A University of Utah student has been sentenced following a guilty plea regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor. Sergio Yahir Cruz Fajardo admitted to providing money to a 16-year-old in exchange for explicit content.

Key takeaways

  • Sergio Yahir Cruz Fajardo sentenced for sexual exploitation of a minor
  • The 31-year-old University of Utah student pleaded guilty
  • Cruz Fajardo admitted to sending money for explicit images and videos

A University of Utah student has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges involving the sexual exploitation of a minor in Salt Lake City, UT.

Sergio Yahir Cruz Fajardo, 31, admitted to sending money to a 16-year-old girl in exchange for sexually explicit images and videos, according to prosecutors.

The sentencing follows Cruz Fajardo's admission of guilt regarding the exploitation case. Prosecutors stated that the 31-year-old student engaged in the exchange of funds for sexually explicit media involving a minor.

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