Utah man arrested for child sexual abuse over 35 years ago

DAVIS COUNTY, Utah – A 75-year-old Payson man was arrested Monday and accused of sexually abusing multiple victims as children in incidents that occurred more than 35 years ago.

Alan Bassett, 75, was arrested on eight counts of sexual abuse of a child. All three counts are second-degree felonies.

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office said “multiple victims” came forward with allegations against Bassett in the fall of 2020.

The victims said Bassett sexually abused them between 1977 and 1989, when they were all between the ages of five and 10.

Arrest records indicate that the abuse occurred when Bassett and his family moved into a newly built home in Fruit Heights.

“Due to legal restrictions, several victims could not be charged,” the arrest documents state.

Court documents detailed five incidents of abuse in which individuals told police that Bassett had touched them inappropriately. Several of these incidents occurred during a birthday party held at Bassett’s home.

In an interview with police, Bassett admitted to sexually abusing children during his time in Fruit Heights.

“(Bassett) had trouble remembering all the girls he sexually abused at that time, but he could remember several, and he told me that if they said it was me, then it was me,” the documents state.

According to the documents, during the interview, Bassett could not recall the total number of victims he had sexually abused.

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office said anyone with additional information that may help in the case or victims who wish to come forward should call Detective Pyles at 801-451-4403.

“Some of these victims have been searching for justice for 40 years and we are pleased to share with these victims that Alan Bassett is no longer on the streets,” Chief Deputy Taylor West said in a news release. “Our office’s investigators have spent hundreds of hours identifying, locating and interviewing victims. We appreciate their work and the trust these victims had in sharing their stories. We remain committed to seeking justice for all victims, regardless of how much time has passed.”