Former sheriff’s deputy facing charges of trying to have sex with female inmates

LOGAN — A former Cache County Sheriff’s deputy is facing allegations that he solicited several female jail inmates to have sex with him. James “Josh” Woytko has been charged with custodial sexual relations and two counts of stalking, all class A misdemeanors.

Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen said multiple investigations were opened in October 2017 after the victims claimed Woytko tried to bribe them to have sex with them. The 36-year-old Smithfield man allegedly sexually harassed and stalked the women on social media sites after they were released.

“I had contacted the Northern Utah Critical Investigative Team and because of the possibility of criminal implications, they did the investigation on the possible criminal charges and the sheriff’s office did the internal investigation.”

Woytko is no longer at the jail, following the sheriff’s office investigation into policy and procedure violations. He was reportedly terminated November 6, 2017.

According to the criminal investigation, one of the victims said she was contacted by the suspect, shortly after being released from jail. In one of the messages he offered her a $50 gift card and said, “Not sure you could afford what I’d want in return for that though.”

The second victim told investigators how the day before she was to be released, Woytko asked her to go get in the shower, so he could see her naked. He then described what parts of her body looked like. After getting out of jail, the defendant sent her several messages over the course of a month.

The third victim alleges that on the day she was being released from jail, Woytko approached her and said, “seeing her in street clothes was turning him on.” He also later sent messages to her and purchased some items from her online store.

All of the women told investigators that Woytko’s actions left them feeling offended, shocked, uncomfortable, and fearful due to his position and authority.

Woytko was arraigned on the charges in 1st District Court in April. He most recently appeared on May 1. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 7, when a judge will determine if he will be bound over for trial.

Jensen said a third investigation has likely been opened by the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Department. That investigation could lead to a suspension of Woytko’s law enforcement certifications.


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