UPDATE (10/23/2019) – David Moss, a former St. George Police Department lieutenant who accepted a plea deal in human trafficking case was sentenced to 90 days in jail on Tuesday.

According to court documents, Moss’ deal dismissed a second-degree felony charge of forcible sex abuse and misdemeanor charge of sexual battery in exchange for pleading guilty to one count third-degree felony exploiting a prostitute and one count misdemeanor patronizing a prostitute.

For the third-degree felony charge, Moss received a suspended prison sentence of not more than five years and not more than one year for the misdemeanor. He is to serve 90 days in jail at the Utah County Jail starting December 14.

Until that time, Moss was ordered to be on GPS monitoring and tracking starting Wednesday Oct 23.

Moss was fined $86.00 (original fines were waived, the $86.00 includes two $43.00 court security fees).

Moss will be on probation for 36 months and in addition to traditional probation rules, he will be listed as a sex offender, is required to complete eight months of treatment, and is not have access to the internet or social media without permission or have any church activities or coaching opportunities that involve children.

UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4 News) – A former St. George Police Department lieutenant has accepted a plea deal from prosecutors on June 18.

Moss pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony exploitation of a prostitute and one misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 20 in American Fork. He faces up to five years at the Utah State Prison.

The second man, Richard Michael Martin is still going through the judicial process. His next court appearance is August 1.

__________original story______________

UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4 News) – A former St. George Police Department lieutenant and another man were arrested in an undercover human trafficking investigation in Utah County.

On Valentine’s Day detectives with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Special Victims Task Force, and detectives with Lehi Police Department conducted undercover operations aimed at targeting human trafficking, officials say.

Investigators targeted 51-year-old David N. Moss, the former police lieutenant, and Vice Squad supervisor, and 29-year-old Richard Michael Martin.

Two undercover detectives established separate social media contact with Moss who used the name “Pilot” online, officials say.

During conversations with the undercover detectives, who Moss believed to be sex workers, he described that he could “manage” them, not as a “pimp”, but to help them avoid getting caught, documents state.

Utah County Sheriff’s Office says Moss described how he could protect them, help them avoid police, and that he would “take care of booking” and they would “entertain”.

Police say Moss told them he had “run” other girls when they asked if he had previous experience managing. Undercover detectives sent photos to Moss after which they discussed prices and arranged to meet at a location in Utah County, authorities say.

During this meeting, Moss showed the undercover detectives money and said, “I am not opposed to paying.”, police say. Documents state during this part of the conversation, Moss grabbed the hand of one of the detectives and forcibly put it on his genitals over his pants, he then unzipped his pants and exposed his genitals.

Detectives followed up on evidence they had collected, and on February 19th, Moss was arrested at his home in Lehi.

During an interview after he was arrested, Moss admitted most of the information he discussed with the undercover detectives, authorities say. He denied, however, ever having any involvement “managing” other girls.

Moss was booked into the Utah County Jail on the following charges: Exploiting a prostitute, 3rd-degree felony; patronizing a prostitute, class A misdemeanor; sexual battery, class A misdemeanor; and two counts of lewdness, class B misdemeanor. Bail for Moss has been set at $10,260.00 cash or bond.

Detectives say Moss may have other victims they were not aware of. Moss resigned his employment as a lieutenant with St. George Police Department, where he supervised the Vice Squad, a department or division of a police force that enforces laws against prostitution, drug abuse, illegal gambling, and would have had contact with vulnerable individuals who could easily be exploited.

Officials said Moss has also recently served as a leader of a local religious congregation, which allowed him to contact vulnerable individuals who could be exploited. Because he told the undercover detectives he had “run” other girls, they ask that anyone who may have had involvement of this nature with Moss to contact investigators with Utah.

Officials from the same team busted another man with similar offenses.

An official statement released by Utah County states that detectives working undercover in previous cases established social media contact with a suspect in May of 2016. He was later identified as Richard Michael Martin of Riverton.

Authorities believed Martin was communicating with a 13-year-old girl he described wanting to engage in sexual intercourse and oral sex with, but they were never able to arrange a meeting with him.

Fast-forward three years, and on February 12, 2019, undercover detectives again established social media contact with Martin.

Utah County Sheriff’s Office says Martin believed he was talking to a woman who was the mother of 12 and 6-year-old girls. Martin described wanting to engage in sexual intercourse and oral sex with the 12-year-old and oral sex and digital penetration with the 6-year-old. He also said wanted the 12 and 6-year-old to perform oral sex on him, officials say.

Martin arranged to meet the undercover detective at a location in Utah County on February 14th. During the meeting officials say they found Martin in possession of video recordings of extremely graphic child pornography involving very young children and infants. Investigators say he also admitted his desired actions with the minors.

Detectives investigating this case say they will refer portions of their investigation for federal charges because of the nature of the quantity of the material.

Martin was booked into the Utah County Jail on nine 2nd degree felony counts of enticing a minor by internet or text. He is being held on $30,000.00 cash or bond. Martin has a previous arrest for similar charges in Kentucky in 2009, police say.

To report tips regarding human trafficking, please contact the Utah Attorney General’s Office:

Utah Human Trafficking Tipline: 801-200-3443

Internet Crimes Against Children Tipline: 801-281-1211

What others are clicking on: