LOGAN — A 27-year-old Logan man was arrested Sunday after a woman reported he repeatedly sexually assaulted her during a February encounter, according to court documents.
Zechariah Clifton Smith was booked into the Cache County Jail on suspicion of five counts of forcible sexual abuse, all second-degree felonies.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, the victim reported the allegations to the Logan City Police Department on Aug. 27. The woman disclosed that on Feb. 22, while she and Smith were observing stars, he lay on top of her, thrusted against her, and placed his hands under her clothing. The woman physically pushed him away and said they should leave.
The victim reported that the assault continued later that evening at Smith’s residence while watching a movie. Smith allegedly placed his hand inside her leggings against her pelvic area. Although the woman moved his hand and explicitly stated she preferred him to keep his hands outside her clothing, Smith apologized but repeatedly placed his hand back inside her clothing and rubbed her over her attire.
When the woman repeatedly removed his hand, Smith grabbed her hand and used it to touch himself inappropriately. After she pulled away, Smith exposed himself, asking if she liked it. She stated she did not. Later, when she tried to leave, Smith pulled her onto a couch and continued to assault her.
During the investigation, the victim made a monitored phone call to Smith in the presence of Logan City police officers. When confronted about her pulling away, Smith admitted he remembered her pushing his hands away multiple times, stating he thought she was “into it to a degree” and believed he “just needed to be more seductive,” according to court records.
Smith made an initial appearance Monday in Logan’s First District Court, appearing by video conference from the Box Elder County Jail. He was granted $10,000 bail ahead of his next court appearance, Oct. 5. He was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.