‘Imprisonment is deserved’: Cedar City man receives maximum sentence in child sexual exploitation case

Megan Brugger
·2 min read
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IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A Cedar City man received the maximum sentence in a child sexual exploitation case Thursday.

Patrick Aaron Merrifield, 39, was sentenced to serve one to 15 years in the Utah State Prison for second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a press release from the Iron County Attorney’s Office.

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Chief Deputy Iron County Attorney Shane Klenk emphasized the seriousness of the situation.

“As a society, it is crucial that the response to this type of crime be heavy, swift, and unequivocal. The maximum penalty is warranted, and imprisonment is deserved,” Klenk said in the release.

Merrifield was arrested in October 2023 after the Wheat Ridge Police Department in Boulder, Colorado, alerted the Iron County Sheriff’s Office he relocated without complying with sex offender registration requirements, a stipulation of his parole terms, the release states.

During the court proceedings, Klenk reportedly underscored Merrifield’s history, including previous charges for similar offenses in Colorado and instances of contempt of court, as documented in court records, the release states.

“The defendant’s track record reveals a pattern of non-compliance and disregard for law,” Klenk said.

Despite adhering to registration protocols when Merrifield first relocated to Cedar City, his “failure to update his registration status following subsequent moves and job loss resulted in a violation of the law,” the release states.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Merrifield’s address, and reportedly uncovered “disturbing evidence,” including sexual images of children on digital devices.

Merrifield also reportedly admitted to police that he viewed child pornography since he relocated to Utah.

Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson said that in cases of this nature, where the safety of the community and its children are at stake, “We spare no effort.”

“We will continue to advocate for the imposition of maximum sentences to ensure justice is served and our communities and children are safeguarded,” he said. “I am proud of the hard work of our office and for the efforts of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office.”

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