Former LDS seminary principal arrested for alleged sex with student
A Utah County LDS seminary principal was arrested Thursday for having an alleged sexual relationship with a student.
Police say Michael Pratt, 37, engaged in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl for the last several months. Until his arrest, Pratt was principal of the Lone Peak High School LDS seminary, where the girl was a student.
Sgt. Matt Higley, with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, said the alleged sexual abuse came to light after an individual contacted the state Division of Child and Family Services, who contacted the police. Officers then interviewed the girl, who Higley said was apprehensive about talking to police, but divulged significant details about the relationship.
“The sexual relationship, we know, started sometime around the beginning of May of this year,” he said.
How the relationship began is still being investigated. According to a police affidavit, Pratt took the girl to various locations around Utah County to engage in sexual acts. The couple allegedly met in a ravine and an unoccupied home near the girl’s house, at a boxcar in Provo Canyon, Rock Canyon, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Goshen and in a mine near Eureka. According to the report, Pratt was brazen in his public meeting with the girl at the warm springs near Goshen.
“Also at this location, they were skinny dipping and someone was watching him from their car,” the officer stated in the report.
Higley said Pratt faces aggravated kidnapping charges because of his position of authority and because he checked the girl out of school at least three times without the knowledge of her parents or school officials. He may also be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor because the girl missed school for their excursions to the canyon.
“Most of these incidences took place up Provo Canyon,” Higley said.
The girl was not happy to speak with investigators at first, but Higley said she knew what happened was wrong and gave police significant information. Pratt met with police, but was unwilling to talk and was advised by his attorney not to give information, Higley said.
Investigators have requested cell phone records from Pratt and the girl and are still waiting for more information. According to the report, hundreds of text messages were sent between the two or through a friend of the girl — a friend who was used as the girl’s excuse when she was with Pratt.
“We do know that there were several sexually explicit messages sent between the two,” Higley said.
Higley said he could not release whether the girl’s peers knew what was going on, but said the investigation is ongoing and several people have been interviewed. Pratt knew the girl through seminary, but Higley said he did not know whether Pratt taught any classes or was only an administrator. Regardless of how the relationship began and how far it progressed, it is not appropriate for someone in Pratt’s position to take advantage of a young student, he said.
“I don’t believe it was ever appropriate, where the age difference is concerned,” he said.
Higley said Pratt is married and has a family.
Rhonda Bromley, spokeswoman for the Alpine School District, said the seminary program has nothing to do with the district, and she had no comment on the matter. The LDS Church issued a statement saying Pratt is no longer an employee of the church.
“The church condemns abuse of any kind and expects the highest moral and ethical standards of its seminary employees,” said spokeswoman Kim Farah. “The church terminated Michael Pratt’s employment as soon as allegations surfaced and immediately reported the matter to law enforcement. Our hearts go out to the victim and family members. Counseling and other resources have been offered to help the victim in the healing process.”
Pratt was booked into the Utah County Jail with a $20,000 cash bail. He faces three counts of aggravated kidnapping, unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old, aggravated forcible sexual abuse, 10 counts of forcible sodomy, object rape, lewdness, three counts of burglary, criminal trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and 10 counts of enticing a minor.
