A now-former Utah Highway Patrol trooper under investigation for child sexual abuse allegations was charged Monday with four felonies.
Bryan Bruce Adams, 45, is facing two first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, two second-degree felony counts of forcible sexual abuse and two misdemeanor counts of lewdness involving a child, according to documents filed in 7th District Court.
Adams lives in San Juan County and started working for Utah Highway Patrol in November 2012, according to a Highway Patrol news release.
The alleged abuse happened between October 2019 and 2021, charging documents state.
Highway Patrol said in its news release that the agency learned Adams was being criminally investigated on March 10. Officials placed Adams on administrative leave on March 13. The Department of Public Safety began an internal investigation around that time.
Adams resigned on April 11, according to Highway Patrol.
“The mission of the Utah Highway Patrol can only be accomplished by maintaining the public trust and confidence of those we serve,” UHP said in a statement. “Criminal charges of this nature are extremely serious and do not represent the standards we strive to attain or the values we hold at UHP.”
Court records show a warrant for Adams’ arrest was filed Thursday. Tara Isaacson, an attorney representing Adams, said in an email Friday afternoon that Adams had turned himself in.
“We look forward to defending him in Court,” the email stated. “He denies all allegations against him.”
Adams’ first court hearing is scheduled for Monday.
