Kendrick Aristotle Eastes, Child Exploitation, Utah 2023

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Utah Truck Driver Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses

A federal grand jury in Utah has returned an indictment charging Kendrick Aristotle Eastes, 31, of Taylorsville, Utah, after he allegedly attempted to meet with a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents, on February 16, 2023, Eastes attempted to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity in the District of Utah. He did so by communicating through the internet, a means of foreign commerce.

Eastes is charged with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and distribution of child pornography. The defendant had his initial court appearance on April 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Pead stated, ‘The weight of the evidence is substantial,’ and ordered Eastes to remain in custody.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Las Vegas. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mark Y. Hirata, of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006.

It’s worth noting that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.