Jason W. Griffin booking photo (Courtesy: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 44-year-old Providence father has been sentenced after previously pleading guilty to supplying drugs and alcohol to underage girls while hosting sleepovers at his home. Jason W. Griffin will serve another three months in jail and then be placed on probation for three years.
Griffin was sentenced in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. He pleaded guilty to three counts of permitting a child to be exposed to a controlled substance, a third-degree felony; and two other misdemeanors. He also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mischief, a third-degree felony; in a second case.
In August, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies discovered that Griffin had been hosting parties for minor females at his home. He bought the 12 and 13-year-old girls alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarette machines. The girls were all apparent acquaintances of the defendant.
The investigation began after one girl’s mother discovered Snapchat messages on her daughter’s cellphone. She spoke with other mothers, who also discovered similar messages from Griffin. In some of the chats, the defendant described being sad and lonely. In another message, he said, “If I could adopt you all I would be the luckiest dad in the world.”
During Monday’s court appearance, Griffin apologized and said he was sorry. He acknowledged to making mistakes and blamed his actions on alcohol. He told the court he had learned his lesson and asked for mercy.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Griffin Hazard said the defendant’s actions were concerning to prosecutors and offensive to the victims. He asked for Griffin to be sentenced to jail and counseling.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck told Griffin that he was prohibited from having any minors in his home, except for his own children. She also ordered him to complete therapy and provide all social media accounts to probation officers.
will@cvradio.com