KAYSVILLE, Utah — A 31-year-old Kaysville man was arrested Wednesday after he was intercepted by police on his way to meet with a 14-year-old girl he had been communicating with online.
Anthony Anderson is facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to Kaysville Police, Anderson first met the victim, a 14-year-old girl, about two weeks before his arrest. On January 21, Anderson allegedly picked the victim up from her school, where he gave her marijuana and provided her with a cell phone to continue their communication.
Later that evening, Anderson reportedly drove from Salt Lake County to Layton, with plans to meet the girl again. Police, who were aware of the situation, intercepted Anderson before the meeting could take place. During questioning, Anderson admitted that he knew the victim was 14 years old and had continued to communicate with her despite being aware of her age.
He also reportedly confessed that he had brought marijuana to share with the girl and intended to begin a relationship with her once she turned 18. Anderson told police that he had continued to pursue the interaction because he was “lonely.”
Following his arrest, police obtained a search warrant for Anderson’s phone, which led to the discovery of child sexual abuse material. This evidence resulted in the 10 charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. Anderson was booked into Davis County Jail, where he remains in custody.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details at this time.
The case underscores concerns about the risks minors face in online spaces and the importance of law enforcement in identifying and preventing potential abuse. Kaysville Police continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving minors.