Skyler Scott Ralphs jail booking photo. (Photo: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 29-year-old Logan man has been sentenced to prison for multiple crimes including assault, and possession of drugs and child pornography. Skyler Scott Ralphs was ordered to serve a term of one to 15-years, after a judge noted that he posed an “intensive risk to the community.”
Ralphs was sentenced in 1st District Court Monday morning. He previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to two counts of knowingly producing child pornography, a second-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance and attempted aggravated assault, both third-degree felonies; and possession of a dangerous weapon, a class A misdemeanor.
In July 2020, Ralphs was arrested after using a pocket knife to threaten another individual. Nine months later, he was arrested again in possession of methamphetamine.
Earlier this year, Logan City Police officers received a cybertip, describing how Ralphs was using a Google account to share child pornography. The files were of female children, ranging in age from 4 to 12-years-old.
Police and probation agents tracked Ralphs to a Lewiston home after he had reportedly returned to the state. He was taken into custody without incident.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Michael McGinnis asked the court to consider jail instead of prison. He explained that his client had struggled with mental health problems and could benefit from treatment instead of incarceration.
Ralphs told the court he needed help. He admitted that he should have handled himself differently.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Joshua Nemeth said Ralphs can get help in prison. He explained how the defendant had committed “the full gambit of crimes” during the past two years.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck said the court had tried to help Ralphs but he continued to commit crimes. She ordered him to the maximum terms for each of the crimes but allowed the sentences to run at the same time.
Judge Fonnesbeck told Ralphs that she would recommend credit for time already served. The exact length of incarceration will be determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.
will@cvradio.com