LOGAN — A 34-year-old Layton man has been arraigned on charges of allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl last fall. Kenneth Lawrence Smith was booked into the Cache County Jail on January 31 after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Smith made his initial appearance Wednesday morning in 1st District Court. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony; two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; two counts of endangerment of a child, a third-degree felony; and three other misdemeanors.
According to the arrest affidavit, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted by the alleged victim in November. She claimed Smith drove her to Blacksmith Fork Canyon on Oct. 29. He then gave her alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and molested her.
The girl described how “she was out of it, and not feeling well,” after consuming the drugs and alcohol, the affidavit stated. During this time, Smith allegedly touched her breasts, tried to kiss her and started removing his pants, before she asked him what he was doing.
The juvenile disclosed how she asked Smith to take her home but he initially refused, claiming her mom would be upset if she saw her in the condition she was in. He also took her cellphone from her, so she couldn’t call for help, the arrest documents described.
The alleged victim’s mother provided deputies with text messages between her and Smith, after she confronted him about the allegations. He claimed “he would not take advantage of a young girl.” He acknowledged though touching the girl, explaining that she had a panic attack and he was feeling for her heart beat.
During Wednesday’s arraignment, Judge Brian Cannell read the charges against Smith, noting they could carry up to 15-years-to-life in prison, if convicted. He assigned him a public defender and ordered him to appear again in court March 1.
Smith spoke only briefly, answering several questions about his employment status. He remains in jail, being held on $100,000 bond.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
will@cvradio.com