CRIME
Utah business owner arrested for sexually assaulting two women at social gathering
Aug 31, 2022, 4:19 PM | Updated: Sep 1, 2022, 6:08 am
DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — A 45-year-old man is facing sexual abuse charges after he was reported raping one woman and sexually assaulting another at a social gathering.
Linford, 45, was arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport by detectives with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office after returning from Germany on Tuesday, according to arrest documents.
On Aug. 6, the two women reported the assault when they attended a social gathering in Fruit Heights — reportedly a Facebook singles group. Linford was said to be a moderator of at least one Facebook group for singles.
The first victim told police that she and Linford met at the gathering and became acquainted. In the evening, he asked her to meet in a bedroom in the home, and she agreed.
“Linford told the victim to kiss him, and she did. Linford then grabbed the victim’s face, at which point she pushed Linford away and stated, ‘this is making me nervous,'” according to documents, and also told him she did not want to have sex.
He reportedly exposed himself, forcefully pulled her into a bedroom closet, and raped her. The victim reported her hair extensions were pulled out during the assault.
The second victim told police that Linford sexually assaulted her at the same party that evening. She reported being pulled into the pool by Linford, who then sexually assaulted her, including forcing her to touch him and preventing her from moving away. The victim said she didn’t consent to any of Linford’s actions and that he didn’t ask for consent.
Investigators obtained video surveillance footage that is consistent with the victim’s statement and evidence in the investigation.
Both victims said they first met Linford at this social gathering and had no connection with him before, documents state. Police believe Linford was suspected of sexually assaulting victims in other counties in Utah prior to this event.
“At the event in Fruit Heights alone, there are potentially four separate victims,” documents state.
Acquaintances of Linford have contacted police and expressed their concern that he could not “control himself and that he has a problem being too forceful with women at events and parties.”
“Multiple victims have expressed that they have feared coming forward to report Linford due to his admin status on the Facebook page,” police said.
Court documents note that “Linford’s Facebook page states that he is a CEO of multiple businesses and a real estate agent.” The Davis County Sheriff’s Office could not confirm which businesses he owns or the Facebook group he moderates as the group is not under investigation.
“Our detectives made this a top priority case, and swift action was taken,” Davis County Sheriff Capt. Taylor West said. “We believe that Linford used his power…to take advantage of these victims. Unfortunately, we do not believe this is the first party at which Linford made unwanted sexual advances. We are asking anyone whom Kevin Linford has victimized to come forward.”
Linford was booked into the Davis County Jail for rape, object rape, and two counts of forcible sexual abuse. Authorities ask any victims of Linford or have information regarding this case to call 801-451-4150.
KSL TV reporter Andrew Adams contributed to this report.
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Helpline at 1-888-421-1100. You can also call the Rape Recovery Center Crisis Line at 801-467-7273 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.
If you or another person is in immediate danger, call 911.
