GR man charged with alleged sexual exploitation of children

William Duncan of Green River recently pleaded "not guilty" to six counts of alleged sexual exploitation of children, two counts of allegedly aiding a child's violation of the law, and one count of alleged rude/insolent/angry touches without injury.

Duncan was arrested by the Green River Police Department on a warrant for these counts on March 10. Duncan entered a plea of "not guilty" during his arraignment on Monday, March 31 in the Third Judicial District Court of Judge Suzannah Robinson. His bond was set at $500,000 cash or surety. 

The charges came after GRPD officers responded to a local counseling business following a report of domestic violence, according to court documents. Officers met with the counselor and the alleged victim, a juvenile, who reported that she has had sexual relations with her stepbrother and that her stepfather has known about it, encouraged it, and told her not to tell anyone, including her mother. The alleged victim said this started around the time she was 11 or 12. She reported that her stepfather had bought her condoms and sex toys, the court documents explain. 

Another juvenile came forward to talk with officers about the case as well, according to court documents, also reporting that Duncan had encouraged sexual behavior. 

These accounts, as well as text exchanges examined by officers, are referred to in court documents as indicating that Duncan was, on multiple occasions, discussing sexual activities with the alleged victim. This led to the six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, which is defined as "knowingly enticing a child to engage in, or be used for, an explicit sexual conduct." 

The two counts of abandoning or endangering children are defined as "knowingly encouraging a child's violation of any law of this state." One count came from a text exchange between the alleged victim and Duncan, which indicated that Duncan had discussed the consumption of alcohol with her when she was 12 years old, according to court documents. The other count came from the report of the second juvenile who came forward, who said that Duncan would offer them alcohol. 

The last count of unlawful contact without bodily injury is described as to "touch another person in a rude, insolent or angry manner without intentionally using sufficient physical force to cause bodily injury to another." This count came from an incident described by the alleged victim. She "reported when she disclosed her father's encouraging behavior, he got into her face and attempted to shove her down," the court documents explain, adding that she reported "he put his hands over her mouth." 

The charges of sexual exploitation of children are felony offenses punishable by five to 12 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The other charges are misdemeanors. Duncan remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center.