SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Maurice Raffoul, a Sugar House man convicted of a year-long campaign of threats and harassment, appeared before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole on Thursday, asking for his release after serving just over a year in prison. However, his victims strongly opposed his release, warning that his return to the community would pose a serious risk to their safety.
Raffoul, who has a criminal history marked by violent offenses and harassment, expressed deep remorse for his actions during the hearing. “I’m very sorry. I have a lot of remorse for what happened, and I ask for an opportunity to move forward in my life,” Raffoul said, seeking forgiveness and a chance to rejoin society.
Despite his claims of reform, the victims of his harassment painted a different picture of the ongoing trauma they have experienced. Cheryl Hannon, one of Raffoul’s neighbors, spoke at the hearing, detailing how she lives in constant fear due to his actions. “It’s scary to go outside and pull weeds, it’s scary to sit out front,” Hannon said. Her husband, Sean Hannon, a local KUTV employee, also testified, emphasizing the psychological toll Raffoul’s behavior has had on their community. “I don’t think one person should be able to dictate what happens in our neighborhood,” he said.
Raffoul’s criminal record is extensive and troubling. It includes assaults on a police officer, abuse of a vulnerable adult, domestic violence, and multiple violations of civil stalking injunctions. A judge in the case previously labeled him a “one-person crime spree.” Even while on probation for earlier offenses, Raffoul continued to engage in threatening behavior toward his neighbors.
At the parole hearing, Raffoul stated that he had taken anger management classes and was no longer forcibly medicated, though he pledged to continue treatment voluntarily if released. “I’m not going to lash out at these people,” he told the board. “These people are older, I don’t want anything to do with them.”
In a twist of family dynamics, Raffoul’s father, Assad Raffoul, also a victim of his son’s behavior, spoke in support of Maurice’s release. “He has paid his dues to society. He has been broken and has a stone-set desire to live in harmony with others,” Assad said, urging the board to give his son a second chance.
Raffoul’s time in prison has been marked by no disciplinary issues, which he presented as evidence of his ability to reintegrate into society. However, the victims’ concerns remain a significant factor in the board’s decision-making process. The five-member board is expected to make a decision within the next two to four weeks, with a majority vote required for his release. Given the nature of his convictions, Raffoul could be released at any time between now and August 2034.
As the board deliberates, it faces the difficult task of balancing Raffoul’s apparent remorse and the potential for rehabilitation against the pressing need to protect the public from further harm. The decision is expected to have significant implications not only for Raffoul’s future but also for the safety and peace of mind of those who once lived in fear of his actions.