KEARNS, Utah — A 61-year-old man from Kearns has been arrested and charged with more than 40 felonies tied to allegations of sexual abuse involving minors over a span of more than ten years, authorities confirmed.
Charles Sheldon Bates, a former Boy Scout leader, was taken into custody Thursday night by the Unified Police Department. He now faces a total of 42 felony charges, including:
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20 counts of sodomy on a child (first-degree felonies)
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10 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (first-degree felonies)
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7 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child (first-degree felonies)
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4 counts of sodomy/forcible sodomy (first-degree felonies)
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1 count of forcible sexual abuse (a second-degree felony)
The case came to light following the discovery of seven CDs reportedly belonging to Bates. Investigators say the discs contained 134 images of what is classified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Salt Lake County, four victims—now adults—reported the abuse, which they said took place when they were between 11 and 17 years old. Two of them said Bates was their Boy Scout leader during the time of the abuse.
One victim, who said the abuse began when he was 11 in 2006, was identified in images found on one of the CDs. Another individual told investigators he was abused from 2007 to 2013 and also confirmed his presence in several of the discovered images.
A third victim stated the abuse happened when he was around 13, between 2007 and 2008, and noted that visits to Bates’ home were often framed as Boy Scout-related activities. A fourth victim described incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2020, when he was 13 to 14 years old.
The alleged abuse is said to have taken place at various locations, including Bates’ previous residence, his vehicle, and a family restroom at a community swimming facility.
Bates is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. Law enforcement emphasized that all individuals arrested are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact the Unified Police Department.
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