LDS seminary principal arrested over alleged sexual conduct with student

Updated: 7/10/2009 6:09 pm | Published: 7/10/2009 12:23 pm

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Michael Jay Pratt

HIGHLAND, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The principal of the LDS seminary program adjacent to Lone Peak High School has been arrested over allegations that he had sex with a teenage student.

37-year-old Michael Jay Pratt was arrested Thursday afternoon after an investigation spanning several weeks involving Utah County, Alpine and Highland police officers.

Police were acting on a tip from the Utah Division of Child Protective Services.

Pratt is the principal for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Seminary program located near Lone Peak High School. The seminary program offers religious studies for junior and senior high school students in released time periods during regular class hours.

According to Utah County Sheriff Sergeant Matt Higley, Pratt was booked on suspicion of several crimes, including aggravated kidnapping, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, aggravated forcible sexual abuse, forcible sodomy, object rape, lewdness, burglary, criminal trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and enticing a minor.

In a probable cause statement obtained by ABC 4 News, Pratt began a sexual relationship with the girl in May. The pair met or traveled to numerous locations around Utah County to engage in sexual acts, including oral sex. The sites of the alleged acts include Bridal Veil Falls and Vivian Park in Provo Canyon, Rock Canyon, Warm Springs Park near Goshen, and a mine near the town of Eureka.

At one point the probable cause statement says Pratt and the girl were seen by a witness as they skinny-dipped in a pond near Goshen.

The statement also alleges that Pratt took the girl from her regular school hours in order to engage in the sexual acts.

Pratt and the girl also communicated via text messages on their cell phones, using code names to signal each other explicit sexual messages, according to the probable cause statement.

On Friday, a judge set Pratt's bail at $20,000 cash and scheduled an arraignment for Tuesday, July 14th.

In a statement released by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spokesperson Kim Farrah said:

“The Church condemns abuse of any kind and expects the highest moral and ethical standards of its seminary employees. The Church terminated Michael Pratt’s employment as soon as allegations surfaced and immediately reported the matter to law enforcement. Our hearts go out to the victim and family members. Counseling and other resources have been offered to help the victim in the healing process.”

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of ABC4

dreambig16 - 10/21/2009 10:38 PM

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i just wanna put something else out here. i know its a while after this has all happened. i recently talked with my other seminary teacher who taught at the same school Pratt taught at while i attended there. The two of them were pretty close. He made a very good point. None of us have the room to judge whether he's guilty or innocent. Yes, there's evidence. But the only people who truly know what happened are the girl, Pratt, and the Lord. No one else can decide whether he's guilty or not.

rambomoore9999 - 10/15/2009 3:45 PM

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maybe you kids were not feeling the spirit... maybe it was him deceiving u.........

rambomoore9999 - 10/15/2009 3:42 PM

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No seriously what a complete ding dong

rambomoore9999 - 10/15/2009 3:41 PM

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What an F' ing ding dong

CloudyKatz - 7/19/2009 12:38 AM

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"You know what I find more shocking than the story is these kids grammar." -Muffin123 Agreed. Although attending the school, I personally have had excellent English teachers. I avoided seminary like the plague for personal reasons, but this turn of events doesn't particularly surprise me. The only experience I ever had with seminary teachers of any kind was in waiting outside in the snow near the seminary building during one of the disturbingly Nationalistic Freedom Assemblies, which are, ironically, mandatory. I avoid them as a personal protest, and leave school property which leads me to the seminary building. I wait outside, and usually quite a few people pass me by, and only one has invited me in. It was probably Brother Pratt. In any case, it was kind. People are not and never have been black and white. Most men have their secrets, and religious power promotes a special opportunity for lewd behavior. You think that religious leaders can be trusted, thus they're given power and put into situations where they can abuse it. Much like some infamous Catholic priests, it doesn't necessarily lead a man to "sin", but it can make it easier. Unfortunately, sometimes a special connection is made in the mind where "religion" and "abuse" blend together where that isn't always the case. The LDS church is increasingly at odds with the world today. They need to be careful if they don't want every discrepancy illuminated.

nothingmatters - 7/16/2009 2:54 PM

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suck it up, its life. people make mistakes.

haha99 - 7/14/2009 10:09 AM

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uh.. how can you guys say "hes innocent until proven guilty" when HE TURNED HIMSELF IN. He is guilty. Both him and the girl made horrible decisions that will mess up both of their lives. But they're not horrible people through and through. And it has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the LDS church or seminary program.

debber - 7/13/2009 11:25 PM

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My children went to Lone Peak, although not since Bro.Pratt has been there. Lone Peak is a great school, and has always had and will continue to have a great Seminary Program, and great teachers. I want all the kids who love and support him to know that this turn of events shouldn't change their opinion of the church or their testimony. The Gospel is true and perfect, but people aren't and never will be. People are fallible beings, and any one of us, if not careful could fall into a bad situation where we let our guard down, and commit a heinous, sinful act that a few months or weeks earlier you would never have believed was possible. I think this situation is very sad, for his wife and family, the student involved, her family and friends. I also think that we all need to keep in mind that it is not our place to judge, and we will be held accountable for being judgmental....our job is to be kind,supportive, and to be a friend to all of Heavenly Father's children. Both earthly and heavenly laws are in place to handle this situation, and hopefully this isn't true, but if it is...it doesn't change the fact that he was a good teacher, a friend to many students, and helped countless students. It's just sad and unfortunate that this happened, and I will pray for both him and his family, and the student and her family, as well as all the students at Lone Peak Seminary.

muffin123 - 7/13/2009 5:57 PM

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You know what I find more shocking than the story is these kids grammar. Good God. Who's teaching these kids? Apparently they were spending more time with Pratt than they were in English class.

JudgeS - 7/13/2009 2:59 PM

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Blame should not be shifted here. Especially not to Satan. Whether you believe or not. In the LDS faith, it's been established that he only has the power you give him. Still completely Pratt's choices, and crime. The lesson here for us is that we must not automatically trust a person, or their words and actions, because of their position. It's too common to put an unwise amount of trust in someone because we believe they have special authority from a higher power. I guess we didn't figure that what happened with Catholic priests could happen here? I think regarding the way he teaches, "with confidence and charisma" may be more accurate than "with the spirit." Another thing we should all watch out for. On the other hand, it doesn't invalidate the good he may have done for other students. Outweighs, most likely, but doesn't invalidate. I'm glad he was a positive influence to some. Now he's a cautionary tale. The LDS Church certainly doesn't need any more bad press... For the folks who assume this is a hoax to attack Pratt's, or the church's character: While he is absolutely innocent until proven guilty, this would not have been released to the press if the prosecuters weren't very confident. They've been watching him for a while, I imagine they have a good case, with strong evidence.

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