LOGAN — A 45-year-old Logan man has made his first appearance before a judge on allegations of raping a young girl several years ago, according to law enforcement. Brandon Tyler McKay was arrested Sept. 4 after an investigation by the Logan City Police Department.
McKay made an initial appearance Sept. 15 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was charged with rape of a child, a first-degree felony; and lewdness involving a child, a class A misdemeanor.
According to a probable cause statement, police received a child abuse report from the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) on Aug. 26. The alleged victim claimed to have been sexually assaulted and raped by McKay, a relative. The incidents began when the girl was 9 years old and reportedly continued for several years.
The alleged victim was interviewed at the Children’s Justice Center, telling investigators how McKay would allegedly cuddle with her naked. The behavior escalated to the suspect later raping the girl.
Police questioned McKay, who appeared to be surprised by the allegations. At first, he tried to downplay the incidents, saying he was “kind of a nudist,” and always walked around naked. He also admitted to cuddling naked with the young girl, stating he “doesn’t see the human body as something to be scared of,” and it wasn’t “sexually oriented,” the arrest affidavit detailed.
As investigators continued their questioning, McKay denied ever raping the alleged victim. He claimed the girl made up the allegations.
During Monday’s hearing, McKay was ordered to remain in jail without bail. He is scheduled to appear again in court Oct. 20, and could face up to life in prison, if convicted.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.