BRIGHAM CITY — Judge Kevin Christensen, charged with crimes including two counts of enticing a minor using the internet, has submitted his resignation from the bench.
Box Elder County officials made the announcement Thursday on Christensen, who had served in Justice Court since 1996.
A press release said “Box Elder County received and accepted a letter of retirement/resignation from Kevin Christensen dated March 10, 2025. The Utah Administrative Office of the Courts has been notified of the vacancy…and they will coordinate the process of finding a replacement.”
The release noted the Utah Supreme Court has placed Christensen on administrative leave without pay, and the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission could also investigate.
Christensen and fired Tremonton Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen have been under a criminal investigation by the FBI. Hansen is charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to court records, the charges against Hansen allege he distributed an explicit video of a 10-year-old girl on at least six occasions and shared an explicit photograph of two 12-year-old girls on at least two other occasions. Christensen is accused of sexually enticing minors via a chat app multiple times.
An FBI agent said there is also information Hansen and Christensen met and had sexual relations.
After Hansen’s first arrest weeks ago, Christensen allowed him to be released from jail.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.