LOGAN — A 49-year-old New Mexico man has been sentenced to prison for molesting a Logan girl several years ago. Kenneth Ray Mayfield, who was arrested in June, was given the maximum sentence of 15-years-to-life after a judge called him a “grave public safety to children.”
Mayfield was sentenced Monday in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony.
According to prosecutors, Logan City Police were contacted in January about a child sex abuse report that occurred between three and four years ago. A 14-year-old girl explained how she had been inappropriately touched by Mayfield, an uncle, while he was visiting her family’s home.
The victim described several incidents of being molested by Mayfield, as he would tell her that what he was doing was “fine” or “okay.” The girl was between 9 and 10 years old at the time of the incidents.
Police arrested Mayfield in June. They discovered was previously convicted of sex abuse of a child in Brigham City. In 2005, he was ordered to serve a term of one-to-15-years in prison, according to an arrest affidavit.
During Monday’s sentencing, the victim’s mother explained how her daughter struggles with trauma about what happened. She asked the court for the longest possible prison term, saying the victim will be traumatized for the rest of her life.
Earlier, defense attorney Christopher Beins asked the court for a lesser sentence, claiming Mayfield’s crimes happened because he was off his medication. He explained how his client had surrendered to law enforcement and cooperated with the investigation.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Dane Murray disagreed with Beins. He said Mayfield didn’t turn himself in until charges had been filed and a warrant was issued by a judge. He called the defendant a “sexual predator and a pedophile,” and said there may be even more victims.
Mayfield spoke only briefly, apologizing to the victim for the chaos his choices had caused.
Judge Spencer Walsh said Mayfield had shown a history of being a danger to kids. He sentenced him to 15-years-to-life, giving credit for time served, but recommending he not be released early on parole.