ST. GEORGE — A local man has been charged with multiple second-degree felonies following an investigation by an internet crime task force that reportedly found dozens of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, along with a child-like sex doll.
James Edgar Conner, 41, of St. George, also faces 10 second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three misdemeanor counts of voyeurism by electronic equipment, concealed or disguised.
Additionally, Conner was charged with one count of a class A misdemeanor of possession of a child sex doll, a charge that resulted from the passage of HB 108. The Utah Legislature this past session approved the bill, which prohibits the possession, purchase or distribution of sex dolls made to look like minors or children.
The investigation began in May of 2022 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information through its Cyber Tip Line regarding nine recently uploaded images of suspected child sexual abuse.
The information was forwarded to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, headed by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and includes officers throughout Washington County, including St. George Police detectives.
Investigators obtained information that led them to an account used to upload the images in the Washington County area.
Agents learned the Cyber Tip Line had received information involving eight videos depicting the sexual abuse of children uploaded by the same subscriber beginning at the end of March.
A forensic analysis identified Conner as the individual suspected of uploading the images.
Agents also matched other identifying information that connected Conner to the transfer of the illicit images, as well as further evidence and files that contained similar images of children.
Videos also were obtained that appeared to have come from a camera hidden in a bathroom that surreptitiously captured recordings of individuals using the restroom.
Conner was detained at his home and transported to the police department for questioning.
Conner reportedly admitted to downloading and transferring the illicit files containing images of children, as well as children under the age of 10, authorities say. Conner also reportedly admitted to hiding the camera in one of the bathrooms of his residence.
Armed with a warrant, agents uncovered additional evidence during a search of Conner’s residence, including a “child-like sex doll” that appeared to be a prepubescent girl, along with various outfits that appeared to fit the doll.
When asked, Conner said “he understood how someone could look at the doll and see how it could represent a young teen around the age of 13 and not an adult,” the agent noted, adding that Conner also admitted to performing sexual acts with the doll.
Following the interview at the police station, Conner was arrested Tuesday night and booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility facing the 14 charges as outlined in this report.
Agents requested that Connor be held without bail based on the more than 30 videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of children, in addition to the hidden camera and other evidence collected during the extensive investigation.
The request was approved by District Judge G. Michael Westfall and Conner is scheduled to make an initial appearance in 5th District Court on Thursday. He remains in custody without bail at the writing of this report.
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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