Former sex crimes prosecutor arrested for child porn in Utah County
Aug 25, 2022, 5:02 PM | Updated: Aug 26, 2022, 11:09 am
FILE (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SPANISH FORK, Utah — A tip led investigators to the arrest of a Utah man suspected of sexual exploitation of a minor. Gary Lee Bell, 66, used to prosecute crimes against children for the Utah Attorney General’s Office.
Bell, who worked in the Child Protection Division of the AG’s office, is now in the Utah County Jail, held on a no-bail request by investigators who believe he is a danger to children.
“I am requesting Gary be held without bail due…to the egregiousness of the crime,” court documents written by investigators state, that also says he is frequently in proximity and a danger to children.
An Aug. 4 tip to the Special Victims Unit of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office reported finding six images depicting child sex abuse. Investigators located an email and IP address that led them to believe Bell was involved. A warrant was obtained and executed.
Documents state that during the booking process after his arrest Wednesday morning, Bell was asked what his email address was and he responded with the same one investigators named in the warrant.
The warrant was served at Bell’s home in Spanish Fork where probable cause documents state that six images of explicit sexual abuse of children between 6 and 8 years old were found in Bell’s possession. Official charges are filed by prosecutors in the AG’s office. Bell will be held by the county, suspected of the six felony counts, one for each image specified in documents.
Bell elected not to talk to investigators after he was informed of his Miranda rights. Documents stated that children are frequently in Bell’s home and investigators said because of the nature of the crime, it was believed Bell was a danger to them.
The State of Utah says the law requires any person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or dependency to immediately notify the nearest office of Child and Family Services, a peace officer, or a law enforcement agency. Abuse, neglect, or dependency of a child can be physical, emotional, or sexual. If any child or person is currently in danger, call 9-1-1.
