CEDAR CITY — A 39-year-old Parowan man who pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual activity with a minor has been sentenced to one year in jail, followed by four years of probation.
Chad Kay Robertson was sentenced in Cedar City on June 3 by 5th District Judge Matthew L. Bell.
As previously reported, Robertson, who had worked as a volunteer youth sports coach, was arrested on Jan. 31 after being accused of having multiple sexual encounters with a 16-year-old boy that he had met via a map-based online app designed to facilitate such hookups. Although the juvenile had indicated he was over the age of 18 when he created the profile on the app, he was actually underage, according to the charging documents. Further investigation revealed that Robertson allegedly sent the boy sexually explicit messages, along with at least one sexually explicit photo.
Robertson was initially charged with six third-degree felonies and one misdemeanor. The charges included one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a 16- or 17-year-old, one count of dealing in materials harmful to a minor, along with one count of enticing a minor, a class A misdemeanor.
On April 22, Robertson pleaded guilty to two of the felony counts (unlawful sexual activity with a minor and dealing in harmful materials to a minor). The remaining five counts were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
At Robertson’s sentencing, Bell suspended the two zero-to-five year prison terms associated with the two third-degree felony charges and instead sentenced Robertson to one year in Iron County Jail, with credit given for the time already served since his arrest. He is also eligible for good time, the judge added.
Upon his release from jail, Robertson will be placed on probation for 48 months, to be supervised by Adult Probation and Parole. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Robertson was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,500 plus $106 in court security fees.
According to the Iron County Attorney’s Office, the length of the imposed sentence was in line with the stipulated plea agreement after taking into account the teen’s input.
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