SANDY, Utah — A 31-year-old man employed by a Salt Lake County school was arrested this week on charges of uploading and distributing child sex abuse material. Erik Phillip Roan faces four second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to court documents.
Roan, who worked in a school environment, had access to young children, the affidavit stated, heightening concerns about the alleged offenses. Though the specific school where Roan was employed was not disclosed, the affidavit emphasized the gravity of the situation given his access to minors.
The investigation began in June 2024, when a social media company filed a report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about an account believed to be distributing explicit material involving children. The report indicated that the account’s user was located in the Salt Lake County area, prompting the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to investigate further.
After a yearlong investigation, the task force executed a search warrant at Roan’s residence on March 12, 2025. During the search, authorities discovered photos on Roan’s phone that matched the images reported by the social media company. As a result, Roan was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
The case is part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the distribution of child exploitation material, a serious issue that has prompted widespread concern and action from both national and local agencies.
At this time, it is unclear which school employed Roan, as the affidavit did not provide that information. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to assess the full scope of Roan’s actions.
The arrest of an individual working in an educational setting raises important questions about the safeguarding of children in schools. Experts emphasize the importance of background checks, monitoring, and proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring within institutions that are entrusted with the safety and well-being of young people.
Authorities are urging anyone with further information related to the case to come forward as they continue their investigation into this disturbing matter.