Joshua Anthony Hernandez booking photo from the Cache County Jail.
LOGAN — A 20-year-old North Salt Lake man has been sentenced to a half year in jail for sexting with an undercover police officer in Logan two years ago. Joshua Anthony Hernandez was originally booked into the Cache County Jail last year after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to court records, Hernandez was sentenced Wednesday, March 13, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He had previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to enticing a minor by internet or text, a second-degree felony.
Prosecutors report, Hernandez began messaging the Logan City Police officer Feb. 2, 2022. The undercover officer was posing as a 12-year-old girl on a popular website that allows users to chat with random people.
Hernandez reportedly told the officer he was 16 and requested their phone number. He then began texting graphic descriptions of various sexual activities he wanted to do, police reported.
Twice Hernandez said he wanted to drive to Logan to meet up in person. The officer reported that there wasn’t sufficient staff to apprehend the defendant either time, so they replied that they couldn’t meet.
Police tracked the phone number to a home in North Salt Lake. They called the defendant, attempting to ask him questions about the messages.
Hernandez hung up the phone and would not answer further calls. Officers also attempted to contact him at the North Salt Lake residence unsuccessfully, leading to police requesting the arrest warrant.
During sentencing, Judge Brian Cannell ordered Hernandez to 180 days in jail, with credit for 62 days previously served. Upon release, the defendant will be on probation for three years, including being listed on the sex-offender registry, electronic monitoring, and mental health treatment.