FAILURE TO PROTECT

Convicted rapist arrested on suspicion of aggravated rape in Taylorsville

Jan 24, 2023, 4:45 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 12:28 pm

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A convicted Utah rapist is back in custody, the suspect in an aggravated rape in Taylorsville, just 49 days after being released from the Utah State Prison where he served 24 years for rape and burglary.  

Salt Lake police arrested Christopher Browning, 43, at 8 p.m. Tuesday and plan to turn him over to Taylorsville police for questioning.  

Halfway-House Walkaway 

Browning was released from prison Dec. 6, 2022. The Utah Department of Corrections Tuesday confirmed to KSL TV that Browning “walked away” from the Northern Utah Community Correctional Center, a halfway house for recently released parolees, on Jan. 18. A warrant was immediately issued for his arrest.  

Police in Taylorsville say that same day, Browning entered the home of a female acquaintance and attacked her. According to law enforcement, Browning and the woman knew each other but are not involved in a romantic relationship.  

Dangerous & Possibly Armed 

“The public is urged to use caution if coming into contact with him,” Taylorsville Police Department said in a press release. “Browning is believed to be dangerous and possibly armed,” the release also stated.  

Browning has had at least three altercations inside the Utah State Prison in recent years. According to information disclosed during a Sept. 2022 parole hearing, disciplinary action was taken against Browning in 2019 for an assault. In 2021, Browning was involved in an assault on a police officer. And again, in May 2022, Browning was disciplined for assault.  

He told the Board of Pardons and Parole at that Sept. 2022 hearing, “I do still have an anger problem that I need to address.”  

In Prison for a Long Time 

Convicted in 1998, Browning was just 18 years old when he was sentenced to five years to life in prison for first-degree felony rape.  

In 2018, the Board of Pardons and Parole reviewed his case, ordering an institutional progress report and an updated public safety risk assessment report before another hearing to be held in 2021. At that time, the Board also noted it “expects Mr. Browning to also participate in risk reduction programming to address other identified criminogenic needs prior to Rehearing.”  

Browning was also ordered to complete a sex offender treatment program while in prison. BOP records indicate he completed that program in March 2022.  

“It put me on a whole different path” 

At his September parole hearing, Browning was asked what he learned during sex offender treatment.  

“I got to learn a lot about myself,” he told the Board. “I was quite disgusted with myself. I learned a lot in that therapy and that was my favorite part of therapy was the behavior change. It let me know, like, where I’m going wrong, or whether a situation should be engaged or not. It put me on a whole different path and it helped me change a lot of my behaviors.” 

When asked if he was willing to continue sex offender treatment while on parole, Browning replied, “Oh, yes.” 

KSL 5 TV Live

Failure to Protect

Joshua Homer appears in court in Weber County on Oct. 18, 2022....

Daniella Rivera and Keira Fairmont, KSL-TV

Rapist at the center of KSL Investigation ‘Failure to Protect’ pleads guilty

Guilty: An accused serial predator in Utah, who’s had more than a decade of allegations against him is now a convicted rapist following a KSL Investigation.

14 days ago

More than two dozen people packed a parole board hearing room on March 5, 2024, to support survivor...

Daniella Rivera, KSL-TV

Utah parole board reconsidering sex offender’s release after hearing from victims

In a packed parole hearing Monday, survivors urged Utah’s Board of Pardons and Parole to keep a repeat sexual offender behind bars. The hearing followed reporting by the KSL Investigators about failures to notify victims that their perpetrators are up for parole and ongoing efforts to improve the system.

23 days ago

Leah Moses...

Annie Knox

Utah lawmakers pass ‘Om’s Law,’ focused on child safety in custody decisions

Utah lawmakers gave final passage to bill requiring judges to consider evidence of domestic violence raised in child custody cases.

27 days ago

Proposed legislation aimed at boosting Utah's low sexual assault prosecution rate appears to be sta...

Daniella Rivera

Will lawmakers consider bill to boost Utah’s low rate of sex assault prosecutions?

Imagine being sexually assaulted, reporting to police, getting a forensic exam at the hospital and still being told your perpetrator can't be prosecuted under Utah's current rape law. That happens more than you might think, but Utah lawmakers have been reluctant to adopt what experts say is a sound solution.

2 months ago

Cami Johnson speaks with the KSL Investigators in January 2024....

Daniella Rivera

‘This is a mistake’: Utah woman shocked to learn perpetrator granted parole just months after sentencing

A Utah woman fought for years to hold her perpetrator accountable only to find out via a text that he'd been granted parole just a few months after his sentencing. The KSL Investigators report on challenges in notifying victims of parole hearings and what Utah’s parole board says it's doing to fix that.

2 months ago

Republican Representative Tyler Clancy of Provo is sponsoring legislation aimed at improving Utah's...

Daniella Rivera

Provo lawmaker sponsoring bill aimed at improving Utah’s justice system for crime victims

A Utah lawmaker is sponsoring legislation aimed at improving Utah’s justice system for victims of crime.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Convicted rapist arrested on suspicion of aggravated rape in Taylorsville