KSL Investigates: Repeat offender pleads guilty, transferred to prison
Apr 28, 2020, 4:31 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 3:24 pm
FARMINGTON, Utah — After a KSL Investigation exposed a repeat offender was slipping through the cracks after terrorizing women and girls in Utah for more than a decade, the offender has pleaded guilty and is serving prison time for the first time.
Chad Dee Flitton, 44, has been convicted of stalking, lewdness and sexual battery against Utah teens, girls and women. Although Flitton has faced these misdemeanor charges, judges have continuously suspended much of his jail time in favor of mental health treatment, which according to prosecutors, he’s repeatedly failed to obtain.
Chad Flitton Mugshot
In February, Flitton pleaded guilty in Davis County to attempted stalking with a prior conviction, a third-degree felony. According to court documents, Flitton followed girls on multiple occasions at Harmons in Farmington’s Station Park and asked some for sex.
After the plea agreement was reached, Flitton was sentenced on April 15 and as of April 23, has been incarcerated at the Utah State Prison in Draper.
The deal comes after prosecutors filed a felony stalking charge against Flitton in September.
RELATED LINK: New Charges Against Stalking Suspect Chad Flitton
As part of the plea agreement, Flitton accepted a sentence of zero to five years in prison.
The judge recommended Flitton receive credit for 281 days he served in jail prior to sentencing. However, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately make that final decision, as well as deciding exactly how much of that sentence he will actually serve.
Flitton will also have access to mental health treatment in prison.
For his victims, the guilty plea came as a surprise. The overall reaction, however, was one of excitement and relief.
Five Years After One Woman’s Encounter With Chad Flitton
“Finally. I’m so excited to finally see something happen,” explained Marlie Pali, when the KSL Investigators broke the news of Flitton’s prison time to her on Monday.
Marlie Pali
April 20 marked five years since Flitton groped Pali while she was a student at Bridgerland Cosmetology School. Pali was just 18 years old at the time – the victim of sexual battery, a class A misdemeanor.
“I just sat and wondered if anything could ever happen,” Pali said, as the anniversary approached. “So, to finally hear the news this week that he is in prison makes me happy.”
In Pali’s case, although Flitton was sentenced to a year in jail, 215 days of that sentence was suspended. Meaning, Flitton spent just five months in jail on that charge.
“He didn’t want to admit to anything. He had a new excuse every time we went to court as to why it happened. And so, I was just worried that he would get away with it again,” Pali added.
Married To Chad Flitton
April Giauque is Flitton’s ex-wife. She’s fought for years to bring awareness to his crimes and justice for his victims.
Now she says there’s some relief.
April Giauque
“It was just this feeling of ‘phew.’ For all parties, right? For everyone concerned for him, for everyone else, because ultimately, everyone is safe at this point,” Giauque said. “I think honestly, it could have been more. I’m glad that it is at least something.”
Giauque says Flitton’s prison sentence is encouraging for all victims.
“If anything, this gives hope to anyone that has had any kind of criminal act made against them, any kind of victim of any kind,” Giauque said. “Please stand up, follow those laws, make your voice known and do what you can.”
If strong victims don’t stand up, Giauque says other offenders will continue slipping through the cracks.
“That’s not okay,” she added.
Have you experienced something you think just isn’t right? The KSL Investigators want to help. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we can get working for you.
RELATED LINKS:
Aug. 26, 2019: Victims, Prosecutors Frustrated About Layton Stalker’s Repeated Arrests
Aug. 27, 2019: KSL Investigates: Repeat Offender Highlights Limits To Utah’s Stalking Law
Sept. 25, 2019: New Charges Filed Against Stalking Suspect Chad Flitton
Sept. 27, 2019: Layton Man Accused Of Felony Stalking Appears In Court
July 13, 2017: Restaurant Employee Likely Saved 3 Girls From Alleged Stalker, Mother Says
July 13, 2017: Man Accused Of Stalking Child Prompts Lawmaker To Propose Stricter Laws
July 14, 2017: New Claims Surface Involving Man Accused of Stalking Girls In Layton
