Brian Littledike being taken into custody by law enforcement near a park in the Island Neighborhood, July 14, 2023. (Photo: Will Feelright)
LOGAN — A 46-year-old Garland City man is in jail after he drove to Logan park to allegedly have sex with an undercover officer, posing as a 13-year-old girl. Brian Don Littledike was booked Friday afternoon into the Cache County Jail following a sting operation in the Island Neighborhood.
“Thankfully in this incident the suspect was only speaking to an undercover officer,” said Logan City Police Chief Jeff Simmons, “but what of the times when he and others like him are not? Seeking out youth for purposes of sexual gratification is a plague to our nation and even to our small community in Cache Valley.”
This reporter was riding along with law enforcement as the undercover operation was conducted. Some of the details, including the identities of the undercover officers were purposefully omitted due to other ongoing investigations.
Littledike had reportedly began communicating with the undercover officer Thursday. Logan City Police officers became aware of him after a woman called 911, complaining of a male individual who was inappropriately texting her, thinking she was a teenage girl named Brittany.
Officers asked the woman to give Litttledike another phone number and explain that it was her private number. Soon after, investigators began receiving texts from the suspect.
Police reported the messages quickly turned graphic in nature, with Littledike describing various sexual acts he wished to perform with the undercover officer. He also asked to meet up in person and arranged to meet Friday around noon at a Logan park.
Prior to the meeting, a dozen law enforcement personnel including Cache County Sheriff’s deputies, SWAT team members and federal agents held a briefing at the Logan City Police Department, Friday morning. Most were in plain clothes and were given information regarding Littledike’s description, and possible vehicle make and model that he had texted to the undercover officer. It was also learned that the suspect had a concealed carry permit and might be armed.
One of the female team members was tasked with being a decoy and to pose as Brittany inside the park. Police stressed that since she would be unarmed and not protected, their primary objective was to keep her safe.
Following the briefing, law enforcement traveled to their predetermined positions around the Island Neighborhood. The decoy also took up her position just inside the park.
Just after 12 p.m., an officer radioed that he had spotted a white Chevy Traverse, matching the suspect’s vehicle description, traveling toward the designated meeting spot. The SUV continued to the park, where a man wearing a hat and sunglasses got out and began walking toward the decoy.
Police said, as the man approached the woman he asked, “Are we doing this here?”
At that point, one of the plain clothed officers quickly came up behind the suspect and restrained him. Additional members surrounded the area, weapons drawn, placing him in handcuffs and moving the decoy to a safe location.
Law enforcement searched the suspect and identified him as Littledike. They also obtained a warrant to search his vehicle. No firearm was located.
Littledike was taken to the police department, explained his Miranda Rights and questioned by officers. He claimed that he had a wrong phone number and started texting who he thought was Brittany by mistake.
When the police officer asked about the pornographic nature of the messages, Littledike reportedly acknowledged that he “started asking questions I shouldn’t have.” He claimed that he only intended to hangout for a bit but wasn’t going to do anything that would get him in trouble.
“With few resources, law enforcement in this community interdict suspects of these crimes almost weekly,” said Simmons. “While we am very proud of the detectives who work diligently to interdict these crimes, we are saddened the type and frequency of these incidents.”
According to jail records, Littledike was booked on suspicion of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony; and enticing a minor by internet or text, a second-degree felony. He is being held temporarily without bail until he can be arraigned before a judge on formal charges in 1st District Court.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.