Source: CVDaily Feed
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LOGAN — A 38-year-old man has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to downloading and taking pornographic pictures of local children, after two mental evaluations found he is competent to stand trial.

William Lawrence Larson appeared in 1st District Court Tuesday morning, accepting a plea deal. Under conditions of the agreement, he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession or use of a controlled substance, all second-degree felonies. The remaining 11 charges were dismissed.

State attorney Barbara Lachmar told the court Larson was arrested in August after police officers received a tip he was sharing child pornography over the internet.

When investigators scanned Larson’s computer they found multiple images of child pornography. They also found pictures on his cell phone taken of local children.

Logan City Police said the victims were all under the age of 10 and appear to have known they were being photographed. They were not related to Larson but were being watched by him at the time.

Larson is being held in the Cache County Jail without bail. He will be sentenced February 10 and could face more than 15 years in prison.

Judge Brian Cannell ordered a mental evaluation to be done on Larson, to determine whether he will be sentenced to prison or the Utah State Hospital.


will@cvradio.com