ST. GEORGE —A multiagency investigation that extended beyond Utah led to the arrest of one suspect accused of having images depicting the sexual abuse of children, while a second suspect emerged who was arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a child.
Two suspects — Bob Langnese, 46, and Johnathan Taylor Gunter, 26, both of St. George — are in jail facing multiple charges following a multiagency investigation, according to the probable cause statements filed in support of the arrests.
The investigation that led to Gunter’s arrest began in January when Homeland Security investigators in Southern Utah received information from Watertown, South Dakota, authorities who arrested a suspect there for allegedly possessing images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
The information came to light in July 2023 when authorities in South Dakota received a report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline that led them to an online user in Utah.
Evidence then emerged indicating the images were being exchanged using a social media application employing fictitious information, the report states. Homeland agents were tasked with identifying the actual owner of the account — efforts that involved a vetting process that went on for roughly two months.
Agents then identified Gunter as the owner of the account reportedly used to exchange the illicit photos with the man in South Dakota, and they also learned that Gunter had used the personal information of an associate to set up the online account — actions the suspect used in an attempt to conceal his identity, the report alleged.
Gunter reportedly admitted to investigators that he used this social media account to engage in illicit activity. Investigators were able to tie the suspect’s phone directly to the account, which was sufficient to file felony charges.
During a number of those online conversations, the report alleges that Gunter made several comments relating to his possible involvement in the sexual abuse of a minor, which is when investigators set out to determine if Gunter’s claims of molesting a child were valid.
It was during one of several interviews that Langnese’s name emerged, and during a subsequent interview, the suspect told investigators he had “inadvertently” touched a child inappropriately on more than one occasion.
On March 20, Gunter was arrested by a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy and booked into jail shortly after 3 p.m., while Langnese was arrested by a St. George Police detective and was booked into jail four hours later.
The following day, the cases were filed by the Washington County Attorney’s Office and Gunter was charged with five second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for what, in part, was reportedly found on the suspect’s cellphone. Langnese was charged with three first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
On March 22, both men appeared in 5th District Court on their respective charges and Gunter was scheduled for a bail reduction hearing Thursday, while arguments involving bail in the Langnese case will take place on April 3.
Online child sexual exploitation
In 2022 alone, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Cyber Tipline received more than 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation by online platforms, which included 88 million images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, and those numbers continue to climb.
The United States now has the highest number of online child sexual abuse hosting sites than any other country in the world.
A recent study compiled by the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence found that more than 84% of child sexual abuse materials depict significant abuse and the younger the victim, the more severe the abuse is likely to be.
Another study suggests that nearly 40 percent of users have sought direct contact with children after viewing illicit images further escalating the level of criminality from the original act.
The investigation that led to the arrest of Gunter and Langnese involved officers and agents with Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Office, St. George Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Washington City Police Department, along with the Watertown Police Department in South Dakota.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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