MURRAY, Utah, Dec. 10, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The former president of Salt Lake Figure Skating and a youth teacher in his LDS ward has been charged on suspicion of trying to entice 13-year-old girl over the Internet.
Matthew Gregory Shepard, 44, of Murray, was charged Monday on suspicion of:
- Criminal solicitation, a first-degree felony
- Five counts of enticing a minor by text or Internet, a second-degree felony
- Attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, a third-degree felony
A probable cause statement filed by an investigator with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office says that, while working with FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, he was conducting an undercover chat operation using various social media and dating apps while posing as a 13-year-old female.
“Investigator Garaycochea was contacted by an individual using the profile name ‘fundady,’ later identified as Matthew Gregory Shepard, ” the statement says. “”Investigator Garaycochea informed Shepard that he was 13 years old …. Shephard sent multiple messages complimenting the person he believed to be 13 years old. Shepard sent messages saying he wanted to have sex with the 13 year old,” and described acts he wanted to perform.
Shepard also called the person he was messaging his “sexy daughter” and his “very special daughter,” and asked for sexy pictures, the statement said.
Shepard asked to meet the person, and was arrested when he showed up for the “date.”
“Post Miranda, Shepard admitted to chatting with a 13 year old, he acknowledged his username, and acknowledged the sexual talk with the 13 year old,” the probable cause statement said. “Shepard acknowledged his interest in 12- to 13-year-old females.”
Shepard’s risk assessment statement said that besides his position with the Salt Lake Figure Skating (he has since been removed), he was a Primary teacher at his ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had access to young teenagers.
A $500,000 warrant was issued Monday for Shepard’s arrest.
