LOGAN — A 58-year-old Richmond man was arrested Aug. 6 following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a juvenile victim with autism, authorities said.
According to court records, Brad Reed Deffinger was charged in Logan’s 1st District Court with second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse and unlawful kissing of a minor, a class A misdemeanor. The charges stem from a series of interactions in Cache Valley in 2024.
According to a probable cause statement, the Cache County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation in June after receiving a report from the Division of Child and Family Services. The report indicated the victim disclosed to staff at a residential treatment center that she had been touched inappropriately and kissed by a man in his 50s named Brad.
Investigators arranged a forensic interview with the victim at a Children’s Justice Center in Washington County. During the interview, 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. The victim told investigators 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 interrogation, Deffinger reportedly admitted to kissing the victim on the lips about two years ago and acknowledged the act was inappropriate. Investigators reported Deffinger stated he knew the victim had been diagnosed with autism and claimed he was attempting to help her.
According to jail records, Deffinger is currently out of jail on $40,000 bond. He is also prohibited from having contact with the alleged victim or any minors. He is scheduled to appear again in court Aug. 24.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.