LAYTON, Utah, March 30, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A Layton couple is facing 16 felony charges after police say the pair abused a girl over the period of four years.
The bulk of the charges are against Cody R. Shepherd, 34, who was booked into the Davis County jail on suspicion of:
- Five counts of rape of a child, a first-degree felony
- Two counts of object rape, a first-degree felony
- Three counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child, a first-degree felony
- Two counts of sodomy of a child, a first-degree felony
- Exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony
- Dealing in materials harmful to a minor, a third-degree felony — defendant 18 and older, a third-degree felony
- Offering/furnishing alcoholic product to a minor — knowingly, a class A misdemeanor
The victim alleged on Jan. 28 of this year that Shepherd, who held a position of trust in her life, had abused her between 40 and 50 times when she was between the ages of 10 and 14. She also said that Shepherd gave her alcohol before the abuse.
Investigating officers found photographic and physical evidence that supported the victim’s story, according to a probable cause statement filed by an officer of the Layton Police Department.
Shepherd is being held in the Davis County jail, with his bail set at $50,000, cash only.
Also charged in the case is Samantha Nichole Shepherd, 29, wife of Cody. Samantha Shepherd was booked on suspicion of:
- Object rape of a child, a first-degree felony
- Aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony
- Failure to report abuse of a child, a class B misdemeanor
According to Samantha Shepherd’s probable cause statement, investigators believe she participated in some of the abuse, and was aware of the abuse inflicted by her husband, but failed to report it to authorities.
Samantha Shepherd’s bail is set at $100,000, without the requirement that it be paid in cash.
