Payson city attorney arrested in domestic violence investigation

SPANISH FORK — Payson’s city attorney was arrested over the weekend during a domestic violence investigation.

Jason Keith Sant, 49, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Sunday for investigation of assault and unlawful detention.

Spanish Fork police were called to Sant’s residence on a report of a domestic violence incident. “Based on (Sant’s) prior position as a prosecuting attorney for the city of Spanish Fork and his current role as a prosecuting attorney with the Payson City Attorney’s Office, it was determined that (the Utah County Sheriff’s Office) would take over the investigation due to the conflict of interest,” according to a police booking affidavit.

Sant’s wife told deputies that she and her husband were arguing and she began collecting her belongings with the intention of leaving.

“Upon her doing so, (Sant) reportedly threw her belongings off of their bed where she had been gathering them. He then pushed the victim out of the bedroom with two hands and locked the door, thereby preventing her from gathering her belongings, including her vehicle keys and wallet, which were located in her purse in the bedroom,” the affidavit alleges.

The wife told Sant through the door that she needed her keys in order to leave. Sant, however, “told her that she was not leaving and refused to provide her access to her keys, wallet and other belongings,” the affidavit states.

The wife also told investigators that “on this occasion and on other prior occasions, (Sant) has told her that she would not be able to obtain help by calling law enforcement due to his position as a prosecutor,” according to police.

When questioned, Sant denied pushing his wife or preventing her from leaving, but deputies “noticed multiple inconsistencies in his statement,” according to the arrest report.

Deputies further noted that “emergency dispatchers confirmed that they could hear (Sant) yelling at the victim and telling her she was not going to leave while the victim was on the phone with them.”

Officers conducted a lethality assessment and concluded “the circumstances were found to be potentially lethal with a high-risk rating,” according to the affidavit. Sant was then taken into custody.

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Domestic violence resources

If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available.

• The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
• Resources are also available online at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition website.
• YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
• Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233