Three Arrested In Connection With Alleged Payson Missionary Assault

PAYSON, Utah – Officials with the Payson City Police Department said a Nephi man and two juveniles have been arrested in connection with an assault on a black missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Police said Nathan Thomas was booked into the Utah County Jail on charges of assault and criminal mischief while a 16-year-old juvenile was booked into the Slate Canyon Detention Center on charges of aggravated assault, criminal mischief and obstruction of justice.

A 17-year-old was also booked into the Slate Canyon Detention Center on charges of assault and criminal mischief. Police said no further information will be released on the juveniles.

Payson police have requested all charges include a gang enhancement and hate crime classification.

The Utah County Attorney’s Office filed formal hate crime charges against brothers Sebastian and Malachi West in connection with the assault on Tuesday.

According to probable cause statements, police identified Sebastian and Malachi West as part of a group of as many as six people accused of attacking the missionary on Jan. 28 near 300 North and 100 East.

The victim, who police identified as a black male from Panama, told officers he and his companion were walking to teach a family in the area when they encountered the group.

Police said members of the group began yelling and swearing at the victim, repeatedly using racial slurs and telling him “to get out of their ‘hood.’”

The victim also reported the group threatened to kill his mother and mocked his religion, calling him a “church boy.”

“The suspects then acted in concert as they attacked the victim, punching him in the head and face, kicking him in the torso, and shoving him to the ground,” police wrote. “While the victim was on the ground, the suspects held onto his legs and waist in an attempt to keep him on the ground so they could continue their assault.”

Eventually, officers wrote, the missionary was able to free himself and ran away with his companion.