Steven Anthony Hernandez booking photo from the Cache County Jail.
LOGAN — A 38-year-old Logan man has been sentenced to prison for molesting a teenage girl and other crimes. Steven Anthony Hernandez was ordered to serve a term of 1-15 years, after telling the court he had “definitely made some mistakes.”
Hernandez was sentenced Monday, Sept. 11, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He had previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and possession or use of a controlled substance, both third-degree felonies.
According to prosecutors, North Park Police officers received a report of the sex offense on July 1, 2022. The victim’s mother explained that her daughter had been molested by Hernandez, a family acquaintance.
The 15-year-old girl was later interviewed by forensic investigators at the Cache Children’s Justice Center. She explained how Hernandez had come into her room and touched her inappropriately. The incidents had occurred over several days while her mother was out of town.
Police later questioned Hernandez. He stated that the victim had instigated the recent incidents. He then requested an attorney.
The weapon and drug charges were filed later by prosecutors in unrelated cases.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Dallin Littlefield said his client understood that he has problems and needs treatment. He asked the court to consider jail instead of a prison term.
Hernandez said he felt terrible for what he did, blaming his actions on drugs and alcohol. He explained how his addictions hurt his family when they tried to love him.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Joshua Nemeth said there was no excuse for what Hernandez did. He argued for a prison sentence, noting the defendant was a repeat criminal.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck said the court couldn’t tolerate the sexual abuse of children. She sentenced Hernandez to the maximum term for each of the charges (1-15 years for the second-degree felony and 0-5 years for the third-degree felonies), but allowed them to be served concurrently. She refused to recommend credit for time already served, telling the defendant that he had damaged the young victim.