LOGAN — A 19-year-old Providence man has been sentenced to jail for trying to meetup for sex with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl last summer. Parker Jon McKenney was ordered to turn himself into the Cache County by Friday morning to begin serving his sentence after attorneys for both sides said the case didn’t warrant a harsher prison sentence.
McKenney was sentenced Monday, Feb. 24, in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to two counts of enticing a minor, a second-degree felony.
According to prosecutors, in July, a Logan City Police officer made a post on a social media platform, inviting other users to socialize with a young girl. He later received a message from another user, saying they were interested in chatting with the 13-year-old.
Police report the conversation turned sexual, with McKenney describing in graphic detail various sex acts he wished to participate in with the supposed girl. He also sent several naked photos to the officer.
McKenney invited the supposed girl to meet him when he got off work. He reportedly said he would be driving a silver Ford Taurus, wearing a red shirt and glasses, and would bring a condom, according to prosecutors.
At the arranged time and place, police observed a male individual matching McKenney’s description arrive in a silver Ford Taurus. He then parked at the location and sent a chat that he had arrived.
Officers moved in and arrested McKenney without incident. He was carrying a cellphone, used to communicate with the undercover officer, and a single condom.
During questioning, McKenney admitted to chatting with police and arranging to engage in oral and anal sex with her. He also reportedly told the officer, he intended to follow through with his plans had the person been real.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Cameron Cox said McKenney had been diagnosed with mental health issues. He asked the court to consider a jail sentence instead prison, explaining how the Providence man had been honest with investigators and compliant with the court process.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Ronnie Keller told the court that even though the details of the case were concerning, he believed it didn’t deserve a prison sentence. He noted how the undercover officer reported that McKenney didn’t seem to be targeting underage girls but was just looking for someone to have sex with.
McKenney told the court he knew what he did was wrong and should pay for his mistakes. He expressed a desire to try and be a better person.
Judge Spencer Walsh agreed with the attorneys and sentenced McKenney to 210 days’ in jail, giving credit for 56 days already served. He also prohibited the Providence man from using the internet, explaining that “pornography had warped his brain.”