- Robert Virgil Dindinger pleaded guilty to three charges involving child exploitation.
- A plea deal recommends 364 days in jail and 48 months of probation.
- Dindinger, jailed for seven months, may be released shortly after sentencing.
PROVO — Seven months after being jailed without bail, former psychologist Robert Virgil Dindinger has pleaded guilty to three of 12 charges involving child exploitation and voyeurism. The plea deal, finalized during a virtual court hearing Monday, includes a recommendation of 364 days in jail and 48 months of probation.
Given Dindinger's seven months already served, he could be released just months after his sentencing. The Utah Attorney General's Office did not respond to questions from KSL Investigates about whether it will advocate for credit for time served, which is a common practice. The final sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026.
Serious charges, light sentence recommendation
Dindinger was initially charged in April 2025 with 10 felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism. The charges stem from both images of child sexual abuse material and secret recordings of nude individuals.
Despite the severity of the charges, each felony carrying up to 15 years in prison, the plea agreement—accepted by the Utah County Attorney's Office—significantly reduces potential consequences.
On Dec. 3, Dindinger pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second-degree felonies, and one count of voyeurism using electronic equipment, a class A misdemeanor.
In exchange, nine other charges, including additional felonies, were dismissed with prejudice.
Details of the investigation
Charging documents detail disturbing accounts from a woman who had been Dindinger's patient between the ages of 13 and 16. She told investigators that during treatment, Dindinger required her to stand naked on a scale and instructed her to perform sexual acts while he turned away—claiming it was therapeutic.
When police searched his office, they found a camera hidden behind his framed diploma. According to the probable cause statement, law enforcement recovered child sexual abuse material and recordings of victims in the nude. Five victims were positively identified.
Victims and plea notification
During the Dec. 3 plea hearing, Judge Graf asked if the victims had been informed about the agreement. The prosecutor told the court that one adult victim was contacted and made aware of the plea deal. Another declined to participate in the case, and others could not be reached.
"The state has had contact with adult victim number four," Ross said. "Adult victim number five has told us that they don't want to participate, and we were unable to contact the other adult victims. She is aware of this plea agreement."
Licensing board flagged Dindinger years ago
Documents reviewed by KSL Investigates show Utah's Division of Professional Licensinghad concerns about Dindinger almost a decade before his arrest. In 2017, Dindinger admitted to touching a minor but was allowed to keep practicing.
Dindinger's case has raised questions about the role of licensing boards in protecting patients. Though flagged for misconduct, he was permitted to continue treating vulnerable individuals until law enforcement intervened.
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