© 2024 KPCW

KPCW
Spencer F. Eccles Broadcast Center
PO Box 1372 | 460 Swede Alley
Park City | UT | 84060
Office: (435) 649-9004 | Studio: (435) 655-8255

Music & Artist Inquiries: music@kpcw.org
News Tips & Press Releases: news@kpcw.org
Volunteer Opportunities
General Inquiries: info@kpcw.org
Listen Like a Local Park City & Heber City Summit & Wasatch counties, Utah
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

21-Year-Old Man Accused Of Targeting Underage Girls In Heber City

Heber City Police Department

A man has been charged with multiple sexual assault counts after targeting underage girls in Heber City.

 

 

  

21-year-old Joaquin Lopez was booked into Wasatch County Jail Tuesday. He was arrested after allegedly posing as a 16-year-old and sexually assaulting multiple 13 and 14-year-old girls. 

 

At least five young teenagers told police they engaged in sexual activity or were forced to engage in activity with Lopez.

It wasn’t until someone recognized Lopez - and confirmed he’s five years older - that one of the victims reported him through SafeUT, a crisis and tip line. In the affidavit, police noted Lopez’s small stature and said he “looked like he could be 16.”

The suspect was taken into custody by the Park City Police and Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and transported to Wasatch County Sheriff. Lopez denied the allegations. He claims he was drugged by a victim’s mother and then the victim took advantage of him. He also claims he's the victim of extortion. 

After an interview with police, Lopez was arrested and charged with 31 felony counts, including 26 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third degree felony; two counts of child rape, a first degree felony; two counts of aggravated sexual assualt of a child, a first degree felony; and one count of child kidnapping, also a first degree felony.  

The sheriff’s office believes Lopez is a “danger to the youth of any community he lives in.” He is being held without bail.

 

Jessica joins KPCW as a general assignment reporter and Sunday Weekend Edition host. A Florida native, she graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in English — concentrating in film studies — and journalism. Before moving to Utah, she spent time in Atlanta, GA.