LOGAN — A 37-year-old Providence man has been sentenced to three months in jail for sexually assaulting a woman three years ago. Preston Leigh Gauruder was ordered to turn himself into the Cache County Jail by Sunday to begin serving his time.
Gauruder was sentenced Monday, July 14 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously accepted an Alford plea, pleading guilty while maintaining his innocence to attempted forcible sexual abuse, amended to a third-degree felony; and misdemeanors for sexual battery, assault and intoxication.
According to prosecutors, Gauruder had been drinking heavily in November 2021, when the victim, a family friend, offered to drive him home. While in the vehicle, the defendant began groping the woman and then assaulted her when she resisted.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, defense attorney Jeanne Campbell blamed Gauruder’s actions on alcohol. She claimed he was “blackout drunk” when the crimes occurred and couldn’t remember what happened.
A victim’s advocate read a letter from the victim. In it, the woman described how the assault had left her living with fear and nightmares. She asked for justice after the three years, waiting for the case to resolve in the courts.
Gauruder said he was full of remorse and guilt for what happened but continued to claim he had no memory of what happened. He explained how he began self-medicating with alcohol after divorcing his wife.
Judge Spencer Walsh said whether or not Gauruder could remember what happened, the Providence man still chose to drink to the point his judgement was impaired. He sentenced him to 90 days in jail, followed by 24 months of probation.
“What you did has had a negative impact on the victim,” said Judge Walsh. “Even though you can’t remember what happened, the court must send a message that this behavior is never appropriate.”