ST. GEORGE – The cell phone store employee arrested Tuesday morning by St. George Police, and charged with seven counts of distribution of pornography, all third-degree felonies, has had his charges dismissed by the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
Friday afternoon the County Attorney’s Office confirmed that they had dismissed charges, without prejudice, against Joseph Gonzales, 41, of St. George, because the actions of Gonzales did not meet the felony statute requirements for distribution of pornography.
Gonzales was an employee at a cell phone store. Earlier this week a woman brought in her cell phone to the store for an upgrade. On the phone were personal and graphic pictures of the woman. According to the probable cause statement filed by St. George Police in support of Tuesday’s arrest, Gonzales sent himself copies of the photos off the woman’s phone without her consent.
The woman then went to the police with her concern and Gonzales was arrested and charged with one third-degree felony per image that he took from her phone.
The charges were dismissed without prejudice, the County Attorney’s Office confirmed. Charges dismissed without prejudice may be brought again. And, the City of St. George’s prosecutor may file its own misdemeanor charges in the justice court if it so chooses.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Booking Website Friday, charges against Gonzales have been amended to theft-repair or service, a class-B misdemeanor; and computer crime – under $500, a class-B misdemeanor. St. George City Attorney Shawn Guzman said that Gonzales has been charged with those crimes and will called to appear in justice court.
At the time of this publication, Gonzales remains in custody at the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on a 72-hour probation violation hold, no detail is provided on the conviction underlying the probation violation.
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CAN WE PLEASE GET THE STUPID WOMAN CHARGED WITH SOMETHING?!
Only if you are charged for your stupidity.
You just wanna see her photo you silly little sicko.
Just the photos on her phone
Much more reasonable. Way to go Washington County Attorney.
Way to go….Good job. Nothing like ruining someone’s reputation. Lets be clear though, he did steal photos off her phone and had a little party in his pants.
How would you know if it was little?
He did steal which is why he’s being punished. Perhaps the intertubes distorted my meaning, but I support that he does get some punishment for what he did. I am pleased the felonies have been foregone because they were overkill. The “party in his pants” is not a criminal matter, so don’t be a prude Rachel.
Ha ha ha! Pants party… Wish Brick was there….
Why would anyone be charged for making porn when they have proved that they are a thief, they’re dishonest, have porn addiction, and should be arrested as such. It’s a good thing Bo Bber and kool aids can’t be arrested for just being stupid or they would be serving a life sentence. See what I mean
What the…..I don’t even…… (insert Jackie Chan meme here [STG News, you need to allow images]). He hasn’t “proved” he has a “porn addiction”. He looked at porn. If you eat food, do you have a food addiction? If you drink a beer are you an alcoholic? And as for life sentences for stupidity, well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?
If you go to church, do you have a koolaid addiction?
why would she hand the guy the phone if she didn’t want to share her little porn collection? She’s either a total idiot, or she gets off on it. Take your pick.
Under further review by priests, bishops and other holy worthinesses, were her pictures determined unworthy and he good to go on a mission?
You are such a baby. Someone in the church must have really hurt your tender feelings. Give it a rest troll.
Shucks! The backend of the horse look purtier than her said the Hurricane guy
Charges dropped. He have no worry about getting … behind bars.
Ed. ellipsis.
I still want to know how she knew he had copied her pictures.
They dating now?
Jimbobonit if you steal porn your an addict, if you have to steal beer your an alcoholic if you steal food you need to grow a garden. If you have to have me explain it your stupid with a life sentance. Now that’s calling the pres black.
You’re: you are
Your: means possession
Was it a mission statement that led to the charges being dropped?
@ NOTORIOUS BO OBBER….Why would you call someone stupid in a comment filled with spelling errors?
No one gets charged for sexting. Also, many good relationships have a few naughty pictures of each other sent back and forth. Its fun. Maybe you should try it.