LOGAN — A 58-year-old Richmond man has admitted to inappropriate behavior with a juvenile victim with autism following an investigation last summer.
Brad Reed Deffinger appeared Oct. 19 in 1st District Court in Logan, where he pleaded guilty to unlawful kissing of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor, according to court records. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed a remaining charge.
The Cache County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in June after receiving a report from the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. The report indicated the victim disclosed to staff at a residential treatment center that a man in his 50s named Brad had kissed and touched her inappropriately in 2024.
During a forensic interview at a Children’s Justice Center in Washington County, the victim stated Deffinger came to her house wanting to get to know her and offered to help her practice getting comfortable with physical touch. She told investigators that Deffinger later touched her inappropriately while she was unclothed.
Deputies executed a search warrant at Deffinger’s residence on Aug. 6 and took him into custody. During questioning, Deffinger reportedly admitted to kissing the victim on the lips about two years ago and acknowledged the act was inappropriate. Investigators reported Deffinger said he knew the victim had been diagnosed with autism and claimed he was attempting to help her.
Deffinger is not currently in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 2.