West Valley City Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Children In ’80s, ’90s

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Police on Wednesday arrested a man on multiple felony counts involving sex abuse against children.

David Allen Williams, 70, of West Valley City, has been charged with 23 counts of sexual abuse of a child, all second-degree felonies; and two counts of object rape of a child, both first-degree felonies, according to a media release from the West Valley City Police Department.

“We are concerned that there could be additional victims," says Acting Deputy Chief Bill Merritt with @WVCPD about case involving arrest of 70-yr-old David Allen Williams. He was arrested at his home this morning for felony sexual child abuse against 7 victims @KSL5TV @KSLcom pic.twitter.com/GgzS0PSnZW

— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) March 27, 2019

Authorities received a report in October 2018 of the abuse of one of the alleged victims, the media release states, and further investigation led to six additional alleged victims. The abuse reportedly happened between 1983 – 1997.

The victims were between the ages of 4 and 12 at the time of the abuse, according to West Valley City Police.

During a press conference, police said some of those seven victims are related to Williams, and others used to live in his neighborhood.

“… We’re also very thankful for the victims who came forward, who were willing to speak, and who were actually willing to a put a voice to what happened to them all those years ago,” said WVCPD officer Bill Merrit. “We understand that this is a very traumatic thing, and there are hundreds and thousands of victims that never ever report this kind of abuse.”

“For the courage that they had to come forward and give us the information that we needed, to take a dangerous man off the streets, that is to be commended,” he added.

Officials stated that, due to the nature of the crimes, there may be other victims of the alleged abuse and are encouraging them to call WVCPD at 801-840-4000.