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.”
