Love Matauto booking photo from the Cache County Jail.
LOGAN — A 27-year-old North Logan man has been ordered to serve a month in jail for physically beating a woman and three children. Love J. Matauto was ordered to surrender to deputies at the Cache County Jail by Tuesday night, to begin serving his sentence.
Matauto was sentenced Monday, March 18, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child, aggravated child abuse, aggravated kidnapping in the course of committing unlawful detention, all third-degree felonies.
According to prosecutors, the North Park Police Department was made aware of the abuse in October 2022. The victims described a history of child abuse and domestic violence.
The woman explained how Matauto held her against her will in a moving vehicle. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time and refused to let her out. During another incident he choked and pushed her through a closet door.
The three juveniles also described a long history of physical abuse and punishment. They told officers how Matauto would beat them with a mop or broom, charging cords or other objects. These incidents reportedly happened numerous times.
Court records show, Matauto was previously convicted of domestic violence and child abuse. He was on probation after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in September 2020, when arrested on the new case in January 2023.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Kathryn Nester said Matauto was under a lot of stress at the time the abuse occurred. She said her client was young and in a volatile relationship.
Matauto said that he accepted the consequences of his actions. He apologized and expressed sorrow for the victims.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck said it appeared Matauto was attempting to improve his life. She sentenced him to 55 days in jail, with credit for 25 days previously served.