Troy Jay Christensen jail booking photo. (Photo: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 46-year-old Orem man has been sentenced to seven months in jail for sexting with a Logan City Police officer, posing as a 13-year-old girl. Troy Jay Christensen was led out of court by bailiffs after admitting he was grateful for being caught so he could deal with his problems.
Christensen appeared Monday afternoon in 1st District Court for a sentencing hearing. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of enticing a minor by internet, a second-degree felony.
On January 31, 2022, Christensen began engaging in online chats with an undercover officer. The officer was using an anonymous chat website in which users can connect with random strangers.
The defendant continued to communicate with the officer, chatting about getting into trouble and referring to himself as a “dirty old man.” 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 and arrested him in June. He was booked into the Cache County Jail and later released on $40,000 bail.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Aaron Dodd asked for a shorter jail sentence instead of prison. He noted that his client had no criminal history and was already seeking treatment.
Christensen said he was ready to deal with the consequences of his problems. He expressed gratitude for being caught because it was helping him get the treatment he needs.
Judge Spencer Walsh said Christensen’s actions became twisted, appalling and out of bounds, bit by bit. He expressed hope in the defendant’s desire for help, noting that the crime could carry a prison sentence.
Christensen was sentenced to serve 210 days in jail and then 36 months probation. He was also ordered to be placed on the sex-offender registry and undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation.
will@cvradio.com