SANDY, Utah — A registered sex offender, recently released from jail, was taken into custody after being caught engaging in a lewd act at a public park in Sandy on Saturday evening, according to authorities.
Victor Anthony Tapia, 31, was arrested in Salt Lake County and faces multiple charges, including lewdness with a prior offense involving a child (third-degree felony), sex offender violation (third-degree felony), and intoxication (class-C misdemeanor).
Incident Details
Police were dispatched to Scott Cowdell Park around 7:45 p.m. on March 22 after a witness reported seeing a man in the bushes near the park’s canal behaving inappropriately. When officers arrived, they found Tapia sitting near the waterway.
Upon questioning, Tapia allegedly admitted to masturbating. Officers noted that he was in a visible area near a public trail, approximately 30 feet from the park, where several children were present.
Police Findings
According to the police report, Tapia smelled strongly of alcohol and admitted to consuming beer and using methamphetamine earlier in the day. During the interaction, officers observed several people, including a young child, passing by on the nearby trail.
Tapia also disclosed that he had been released from jail just two weeks prior, following a conviction on a similar felony lewdness charge. When asked about his behavior, he reportedly stated, “What I’m doing right now.”
Arrest and Charges
Tapia was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. Authorities have not released additional details at this time.
Legal Disclaimer
The charges against Tapia are allegations, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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