HEBER CITY, UT – A 54-year-old Utah man who reportedly holds the chair of the Wasatch County Republican Party is facing charges of aggravated child abuse following allegations brought forth by his 16-year-old daughter, who claims he “waterboarded” her after not cleaning her room to his particular liking.
On February 10, the Heber City Police Department (HCPD) announced the arrest of David Johnson under suspicion of aggravated child abuse, who reportedly holds the county GOP chair in Wasatch.
According to the initial release from the HCPD, police began investigating the alleged child abuse “after receiving information alleging that a father had subjected his 16-year-old daughter to waterboarding as a form of punishment,” with investigators later learning of another alleged incident where “the juvenile had been backhanded on the torso, resulting in visible bruising.”
During interviews with investigators, the juvenile reportedly alleged the waterboarding punishment stemmed from her not cleaning her room in a “spotless” fashion per Johnson’s alleged “expectations.” The teen girl told investigators her father grabbed her by the back of the neck, guiding her to a bathroom where a sink was being filled with water, allegedly dunking her head underwater while splashing her face when being let up for air.
Johnson’s daughter reportedly told investigators she couldn’t breathe for upwards of 30 seconds during the alleged incident, further adding, “I kind of felt sick afterwards. Like I couldn't breathe. So, it made my stomach feel a little sick.” The teen girl further alleged that she’d seen her father do the same thing to her younger brother, who is 8 years old, a few years earlier.
In the alleged backhanding incident, the teen girl claimed she was struck in her abdomen as a form of discipline for not being “compliant,” further telling investigators, “He made fun of me for crying,” following the alleged assault.
Summarizing her sentiments regarding her day-to-day home life to investigators, the teen girl stated, “I don't feel very safe. When I go to bed, I feel like I can't sleep because I don't feel safe. When my dad's not home, I feel fine. But when he's home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.”
The girl has since been removed from Johnson’s home and has been placed in the care of an adult sibling, while two other juveniles remain in the care of the Johnsons, although police are reportedly concerned that the suspect “poses a substantial threat to the two younger children.”
The Wasatch County Republican Party issued a statement regarding Johnson’s arrest, noting that Vice Chair Patty Sprunt “will temporarily assume leadership” in accordance with the party’s bylaws, while also addressing the “serious allegations” their party chair is facing.
“The Wasatch County Republican Party Executive Committee was made aware yesterday evening of the serious allegations and subsequent arrest of David Johnson,” the statement reads, adding, “The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations brought forward by the Heber City Police Department.”
While emphasizing the values baked into the political party, such as “the protection of the vulnerable and the upholding of the law,” the statement also stressed that “individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
On February 10, the Heber City Police Department (HCPD) announced the arrest of David Johnson under suspicion of aggravated child abuse, who reportedly holds the county GOP chair in Wasatch.
According to the initial release from the HCPD, police began investigating the alleged child abuse “after receiving information alleging that a father had subjected his 16-year-old daughter to waterboarding as a form of punishment,” with investigators later learning of another alleged incident where “the juvenile had been backhanded on the torso, resulting in visible bruising.”
During interviews with investigators, the juvenile reportedly alleged the waterboarding punishment stemmed from her not cleaning her room in a “spotless” fashion per Johnson’s alleged “expectations.” The teen girl told investigators her father grabbed her by the back of the neck, guiding her to a bathroom where a sink was being filled with water, allegedly dunking her head underwater while splashing her face when being let up for air.
Johnson’s daughter reportedly told investigators she couldn’t breathe for upwards of 30 seconds during the alleged incident, further adding, “I kind of felt sick afterwards. Like I couldn't breathe. So, it made my stomach feel a little sick.” The teen girl further alleged that she’d seen her father do the same thing to her younger brother, who is 8 years old, a few years earlier.
In the alleged backhanding incident, the teen girl claimed she was struck in her abdomen as a form of discipline for not being “compliant,” further telling investigators, “He made fun of me for crying,” following the alleged assault.
Summarizing her sentiments regarding her day-to-day home life to investigators, the teen girl stated, “I don't feel very safe. When I go to bed, I feel like I can't sleep because I don't feel safe. When my dad's not home, I feel fine. But when he's home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.”
The girl has since been removed from Johnson’s home and has been placed in the care of an adult sibling, while two other juveniles remain in the care of the Johnsons, although police are reportedly concerned that the suspect “poses a substantial threat to the two younger children.”
The Wasatch County Republican Party issued a statement regarding Johnson’s arrest, noting that Vice Chair Patty Sprunt “will temporarily assume leadership” in accordance with the party’s bylaws, while also addressing the “serious allegations” their party chair is facing.
“The Wasatch County Republican Party Executive Committee was made aware yesterday evening of the serious allegations and subsequent arrest of David Johnson,” the statement reads, adding, “The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations brought forward by the Heber City Police Department.”
While emphasizing the values baked into the political party, such as “the protection of the vulnerable and the upholding of the law,” the statement also stressed that “individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
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