ST. GEORGE — Two former Utah Tech University students were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday for distribution of pornographic material on the campus.
Utah Tech University Police Chief Ron Bridge said officers responded Tuesday to a report of individuals distributing “baseball card-sized” porn materials around hallways, stairs and other areas of the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons and Library building.
After an investigation involving video surveillance, which showed individuals between the ages of 18-20 distributing the porn, campus police were able to identify the two suspects, later identified as Paxten V. Prentice and Jamie B. Anderson, both of St. George.
Prentice was arrested late Tuesday night and Anderson turned himself in at the Utah Tech University Police Department Wednesday morning after hearing he was wanted by authorities.
Bridge said the cards are similar to what is passed around on the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, but due to the location where the incident took place, it is a crime.
“Technically in the state of Utah, those images fall under the statute of pornography,” Bridge said. “Utah laws are different than Nevada laws.”
Bridge said an investigation revealed the two had student identification numbers but are not current students.
“Let me emphasize that these two are not students of Utah Tech University,” Bridge said.
Prentice was booked Tuesday night and Anderson Wednesday morning into Purgatory Correctional Facility.
According to Utah Criminal Code, the first offense of distribution of porn is a class A misdemeanor; however, previous criminal activity could result in a third-degree felony charge.
Bridge said the custodial staff and personnel were immediately tasked to thoroughly search the building and make sure all pornographic material was removed and disposed of.
He said the Title IX Office was notified and is available to help anyone affected by the incident.
“Obviously we want anyone to report incidents like this so we can take swift action,” Bridge said.
The Title IX Office can be reached at 435-652-7747 or by visiting the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons and Library, office number 579. For more information about the Title IX Office, click here.
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