Northern Utah communities 'reeling' after arrests of fire chief, judge

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

BRIGHAM CITY — In light of allegations that a former Tremonton fire chief and a justice court judge were involved in sharing child pornography, people in Tremonton and Brigham City are struggling with what many consider to be a betrayal of public trust.

"It's a surprise to all of us," said Henry Hernandez, a Tremonton resident. "You're looking up to these people to take care of our community, take care of our kids."

Former Tremonton Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen, 54, was initially booked into the Box Elder County jail in January, accused of distribution of "child abuse material," according to charging documents.

At the time, Judge Kevin Christensen presided over Hansen's case and released him on bail, despite requests from arresting officers that he be held without bail, charges say.

According to further charging documents, investigators later discovered explicit chats on Hansen's phone with Christensen, where the two allegedly shared desires to abuse and "share" child victims.

Both men are now behind bars, accused of sharing child pornography. Christensen is also accused of enticing minors over the internet and obstructing justice by failing to disclose his alleged relationship with Hansen before presiding over his bail hearing.

"We have little kids and we walk by his house every day," Briann Olsen said of Christensen, who is her neighbor. "What do you say? It's disgusting. It's hard. It's sad. It's humiliating for his family."

Tremonton City Manage Bill Cobabe said Wednesday that the city is doing its best to try and help the community mend, while re-building trust in government.

"Our whole community is kind of reeling on this," Cobabe said. "We're just trying to make sense of everything. This is a tough day."