EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Jan. 14, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — A 39-year-old Eagle Mountain man, a former teacher at Rockwell Charter School, has been charged with 30 felony crimes allegedly involving a juvenile student at his school and her younger friend. And the Utah County Sheriff’s Office now says he has fled the country.
The investigation into alleged crimes by Ricardo Margalho Prins began on about Dec. 15, 2024, a UCSO statement says, “and learned that Prins had left the country and returned to Brazil at about the same time.”
“UCSO SVU detectives were waiting for Prins to return to the United States, and actively working with our Federal Law Enforcement partners when they learned that Prins’ travel documents had expired earlier in 2024, and he would not be able to legally return.”
A probable cause document filed by the Utah County Attorney’s Office for Prins says he allegedly asked one of his female students to come to his classroom alone on multiple occasions since Sept. 1, 2024, and engaged in sexual acts.
He also performed acts in his car and at remote locations, and had the student bring a younger friend to join in the activities, the affidavit alleges. A proposed arrest warrant was issued today, Jan. 14, according to court documents.
Prins is being investigation in connection with:
- 10 counts of rape, a first-degree felony
- Object rape, a first-degree felony
- 15 counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony
- Three counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony
- Aggravated assault, a second-degree felony
- Unlawful kissing of a minor, a class A misdemeanor
The UCSO news release says detectives have found evidence supporting 42 counts of misconduct with juveniles, and one count each of aggravated assault and obstruction of justice.
“The UCSO SVU detectives are asking, if there are other victims of Prins, to please contact Central Dispatch at 801-798-5600 and ask to speak with a UCSO deputy.
“This case has been submitted to the Utah County Attorney’s Office for an arrest warrant for Prins, and there are aspects of the case that are still under investigation.”
Gephardt Daily will have more information as it can be confirmed.
