LOGAN — A 45-year-old Orem man was arrested for allegedly sexting with an undercover police officer, posing as a 13-year-old Logan girl. Troy Jay Christensen was booked Wednesday into the Cache County Jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest in June.
According to the warrant affidavit, Christensen began engaging in online chats with police January 31. The Logan City Police officer was using an anonymous chat website in which users can connect with random strangers.
Christensen originally identified himself as a 39-year-old man from Provo. He then began to flirt with the undercover officer, asking to move the conversation to another chat platform.
The suspect continued to communicate with the officer, chatting about getting into trouble and referring to himself as a “dirty old man,” the affidavit explained. He also sent graphic descriptions of what he wanted to do with the supposed teenager.
Police tracked the username and IP addresses to Christensen’s residence in Vineyard and workplace in Orem. The chats ended around March, when the suspect’s account was deleted or deactivated.
On May 27, Christensen allegedly began messaging again with police on the anonymous chat website. He claimed that his account had been hacked which was why he stopped chatting before.
The affidavit claims the suspect sent a photo of himself and then began moving the chat in a sexual direction again. He also acknowledged that his actions would be illegal.
In June, Cache County prosecutors filed criminal charges against Christensen in 1st District Court. They include six counts of enticing a minor by internet or text, two second-degree felonies and four third-degree felonies.
Jail records show Christensen was booked and later released after posting $40,000 bail. He could face up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
will@cvradio.com