DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 29, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Police are asking for the public’s assistance in an ongoing rape investigation.
“On April 26, 2024, an investigation was started by the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office into the allegation of rape,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
“During this investigation Robert C. Bird, a 35-year-old man out of Roosevelt, Utah, was identified as the key suspect of the investigation. From this investigation it was found that there was probable cause that Robert C Bird be charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.
“During this investigation the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has had other victims come forward and those allegations are being investigated.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Detective Misti Duncan with the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office at 435-738-1523.
Bird has been held without bail in the Duchesne County Jail since his June arrest on the five sexual exploitation of a minor charges. He is scheduled for a status conference in 8th District Court on Sept. 9 on those charges as well as a felony drug possession arrest also in June.
According to charging documents, the sexual exploitation charges stemmed from the rape investigation, the alleged rape victim telling officers Bird was in possession of nude photos of an underage female.
Bird told officers he had destroyed the photos and the digital device that held them as soon as he found out the girl was underage, according to a probable cause affidavit. But officers found the photos were still on his online accounts, according to the allegations.
Bird is not charged with rape. His pending drug case involves allegations of methamphetamine use as does a driving under the influence arrest in May in Roosevelt, also pending.
