LOGAN — A 32-year-old Logan man, reportedly in the country illegally, has been arrested for allegedly molesting two children, according to law enforcement. Pedro Aristides Vales-Castro was booked Wednesday into the Cache County Jail.
According to the arrest affidavit, the North Park Police Department began investigating Vales-Castro after a 9-year-old girl claimed she was being sexually abused by a family friend. She described how the suspect had allegedly molested her and her 11-year-old brother.
The two children were interviewed at the Cache Children’s Justice Center. They described separate incidents of Vales-Castro molesting them while they were in bed. The kids described how he would remove their clothing and inappropriately touch them.
The young girl told investigators how she would pretend to be asleep and keep her eyes closed during the incidents. The boy also described how the suspect would molest him, while the two sat on a couch and watched TV, court paperwork detailed.
Police helped the children’s mother conduct a recorded phone call with Vales-Castro. During the conversation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the allegations.
On April 30, police located Vales-Castro and took him into custody. While being questioned at the police department, he reportedly disclosed that he had inappropriately touched the two children on four separated occasions, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Officers determined Vales-Castro was from El Salvador. They noted he was an immigration violator, according to Customs and Border Patrol.
Vales-Castro was arraigned Friday in Logan’s 1st District Court, appearing by web conference from jail. He was charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony; and sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony.
Judge Spencer Walsh refused to grant Vales-Castro bail. He said there was substantial evidence to support the charges and the suspect poses a flight risk.
Vales-Castro was ordered to appear again in court May 12. He 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.