A substitute teacher in Utah has been accused of meeting up with a 15-year-old to have sex before he allegedly kidnapped and sexually exploited the minor.
Randy Lamar Jensen was arrested on November 6, and charged with aggravated kidnapping, two counts of forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, criminal solicitation, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and enticing a minor and distributing materials harmful to a minor, according to KSL.
Logan police said they learned of the incident when officers approached a vehicle around 12:30 a.m. on Friday because it was trespassing at a city park. Officers then found Jensen, 71, and a 15-year-old boy inside of the vehicle.
“The victim told officers he was meeting with Randy to have sex. He stated he communicated with Randy to meet up on Snapchat,” police said, per the outlet.
Jensen was then taken into custody for questioning and the boy was transported home. When officers arrived at the victim’s home, his parents said they did not know he had left.
Officers searched the boy’s phone and found that he had several Snapchat conversations with Jensen. Throughout the conversations, the boy had sent at least three explicit photos of himself to Jensen.
Police also found a video on the boy’s phone that had been taken earlier that night, which allegedly showed Jensen performing a sex act on the boy.
While speaking to police, Jensen said that he had met the victim online. Jensen allegedly admitted that he had sent and received explicit photographs from the victim, and he also reportedly “admitted to soliciting the victim to have sex with him tonight.”
“He admitted to previously having sex with the victim at his house in Logan. He admitted this occurred after being made aware the victim was under the age of 18,” police said, according to the outlet.
The charging documents note that Jensen currently works as a substitute teacher with the Cache County and Logan City school districts.
Police have not shared how long they communicated before the teacher’s arrest and if it’s believed Jensen may have other victims.
It’s not currently clear if Jensen has entered a plea, and he has been assigned a public defender, according to KNVU. A judge ordered Jensen to remain in jail until he returns to court for his next hearing on Wednesday, November 18.
The Logan Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.
Parents, teachers, and guardians interested in learning more about protecting children from exploitation can find useful tools and information at Know2Protect.
