- A Utah judge sentenced ex-therapist Robert Dindinger to consecutive prison terms.
- Dindinger admitted to secretly recording patients and possessing child exploitation material.
- Judge Graf rejected a plea deal citing extensive abuse patterns and victim impact.
PROVO — A Utah County judge has sentenced a former therapist to serve consecutive prison terms after rejecting a plea deal that would have limited his jail time to less than a year.
Robert Dindinger, who admitted to secretly recording patients — including underage clients — and possessing child sexual exploitation material, will now serve multiple years behind bars. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine the final duration, but the minimum time Dindinger will serve is just under three years.
Fourth District Court Judge Tony F. Graf Jr. rejected the deal Friday, citing the "extensive pattern" of abuse and the lasting damage to victims.
"You knew what you were doing, and you did it anyway," Graf told Dindinger.
He said the victims were separate individuals and "each of them deserve to have what happened to them recognized."
Breach of trust with minor victims
Court records and the pre-sentence report reveal Dindinger recorded multiple patients during therapy sessions, including clients as young as 14. In one case, he filmed an adolescent engaged in sexual behavior and attempted to justify the act as part of a treatment plan.
According to the information filed by the Utah Attorney General's Office, one former patient told investigators that she later learned another juvenile patient had reported Dindinger had touched her inappropriately. The same court filing states that a detective reviewing police records found three additional reports alleging Dindinger inappropriately touched underage female patients. Those allegations did not result in separate charges of physical sexual abuse.
The pre-sentence report described Dindinger's conduct as intentional and exploitative.
"The defendant, a licensed psychologist, utilized his position of professional trust to exploit vulnerable child clients ... He intentionally and knowingly produced child exploitation material, including images, videos, and pornography," the report stated.
Graf emphasized the long-term consequences for victims, stating their trust in future therapists may be compromised.
"Will they turn away the very help they need because of you?" Graf asked. "That concerns this court."
Rejected plea agreement
The original plea agreement, supported by both prosecution and defense, recommended 364 days in jail. Prosecutors said the offer reflected the evidence they believed they could prove at trial.
Both the defense and the prosecution appeared virtually for the sentencing hearing, which was also streamed online for victims who wished to observe or participate.
When questioned by the judge, the prosecution struggled to clearly explain how many victims were tied to the charges.
"I believe the first two counts he's pleading to, the sexual exploitation of a minor, involves two victims. And the voyeurism is a third victim," Assistant Utah Attorney General Ian Ross told the court.
Ross later referenced additional names identified during the broader investigation.
Due to limited victim participation, Ross said the state was unable to present complete victim-impact information.
"Based upon what we felt we could actually charge and what we could actually prove … we feel this offer is fair," Ross told the court.
Defense blames media scrutiny
Defense attorney Gregory Smith argued that public and media attention exaggerated the nature of the case.
"I have seen things online and so forth that has made this case something way beyond what it is," Smith said. "This cost him dearly. This cost him his marriage. This cost him his reputation."
Smith emphasized that Dindinger was never charged with physical sexual abuse or accused of soliciting minors online. When offered the chance to speak, Dindinger said three words: "I am sorry."
Judge lifts order for victim in relationship with Dindinger
Dindinger pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of voyeurism. Judge Graf sentenced him to one to 15 years for each felony count and 364 days for the misdemeanor. All three sentences are to run consecutively.
Although the minimum term totals just under three years, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole could hold Dindinger for significantly longer, depending on its evaluation of his rehabilitation and risk.
The court also addressed victim protection. A continuing protective order remains in place for one of the victims. The judge lifted a no-contact order for another after the defense disclosed that Dindinger now has a relationship with that individual. KSL has chosen not to share additional details about the relationship or the circumstances surrounding the request to avoid identifying the victim.
Licensing investigation continues
The KSL Investigators are still seeking disciplinary records from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing related to prior concerns about Dindinger, some dating back to 2017. That request is currently in mediation, with officials indicating additional documents may be released after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
Have you experienced something you think just isn't right? The KSL Investigators want to help. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we can get working for you.
CSAM Prevention Resources and Victim Recovery:
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides support to children who are victims of child sexual exploitation through emotional peer support for families, content removal of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and help getting connected to therapists and attorneys. The NCMEC also provides a CyberTipline where CSAM can be reported. Visit https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources for more information.
The Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force hosts a hub of resources for parents and offers local help to cases involving child sexual exploitation.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides a guide of safety measures to take in order to prevent children from being targeted in CSAM cases.
Thorn nonprofit organization creates products and programs that combat child sexual abuse at scale. It provides resources for families to help them identify the possible ways children can be exploited online, giving them proper terminology and statistics to keep them educated. For more information, visit https://www.thorn.org/research/child-sexual-abuse-material-csam/
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah's 24-hour Sexual Violence Help Line at 1-801-736-4356 (English) or 1-801-924-0860 (Spanish). You can also call the Rape Recovery Center office line during office hours at 801-467-7282 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.
