Kearns man kidnapped, sexually abused teen he met after offering her a ride, charges say

KEARNS — A Kearns man is facing criminal charges accusing him of taking a teenage girl to his home, forcing her to take drugs and then sexually abusing her.

Henry Valdez, 58, was charged Thursday with aggravated kidnaping, attempted object rape and attempted forcible sodomy, first-degree felonies; two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; child endangerment, a third-degree felony; supplying alcohol to a minor and drug possession, class A misdemeanors; and drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, class B misdemeanors.

The investigation began in October when a woman reported to police that her 16-year-old daughter "was being held against her will by Henry Valdez. (The teen) sent (her mother) videos of (her) and Valdez smoking methamphetamine and Valdez being violent," according to charging documents.

Police arrived at the home near 6200 South and 4400 West and arrested Valdez at gunpoint.

As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that the teen was at a mall and Valdez began following her in his car. He later pulled up next to her and asked if she needed a ride, the charges state. Valdez drove her home, allegedly "told her not to walk places on her own," and the two exchanged phone numbers.

The next day, Valdez invited the girl to his home and she agreed. Once there, however, Valdez offered the teen alcohol "and aggressively told her to drink it" and then offered her meth and again "aggressively" told her to smoke it," according to the charges.

The girl says she "'took a hit' out of fear and then began texting people, seeking help," the charges say.

While waiting for someone to arrive, Valdez sexually abused the girl, police say.

"(He) would not allow (the girl) to leave the residence and she began texting people for help," according to the charges.

Prosecutors have requested that Valdez be held without the possibility of posting bail pending trial.

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