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Wealthy Mormon missionary, 22, could spend just a year in jail for sexually assaulting girl, 15, who was trapped inside his Tesla by its electronic doors
Krew Zaugg, a 23-year-old former Mormon missionary, admitted to a reduced charge after being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl inside his Tesla in Idaho Falls. He has been sentenced to a prison treatment programme that could last up to a year, after which a judge will decide whether he serves a longer term.
The original rape and lewd conduct charges, which carried a possible life sentence, were amended to battery with intent to commit a serious felony for reasons that remain sealed. The underlying sentence is four to 14 years. The girl and her family described lasting psychological and physical effects, as well as cruel jokes and harassment; the article says Zaugg cited loneliness after a break-up in his court statement.
In short
- Zaugg admitted to a reduced charge over an assault on a 15-year-old.
- He could spend up to a year in a prison treatment programme.
- A judge will later decide whether he serves four to 14 years.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A treatment programme may be justified if the court believes it can reduce the risk of future offending while still holding Zaugg accountable under the admitted charge and underlying four-to-14-year sentence. A staged sentence can also allow the judge to assess his progress before deciding whether a longer term is necessary.
The case against
A programme lasting as little as a year may seem inadequate given the victim’s age, the reported lasting harm and harassment, and the seriousness of the original allegations. Because the charges were reduced for sealed reasons and a longer term remains uncertain, the outcome may also leave the victim and public without a clear account of how the sentence reflects the conduct and its consequences.