LOGAN — Criminal charges have been dropped against a 64-year-old Logan man accused of being seen having sex with a woman at Second Dam in Logan Canyon, US-89. The case against Byron D. Aslett was dismissed earlier this month after prosecutors said there was conflicting evidence.
In January, an arrest warrant was issued for Aslett by 1st District Judge Brian Cannell. Prosecutors claimed a family contacted the Cache County Sheriff’s Office on June 10, 2021, complaining of a disturbing incident. The man and wife said they were at Second Dam with their young niece when they observed a man and woman engaged in oral sex.
The suspects were reported to be in a black BMW. The complainants took a photo of the car’s license plate and provided a description of the male suspect. The vehicle was registered to Aslett.
According to court records, Cache County Deputy Attorney Dane Murray filled a motion to dismiss the case. He explained that after the warrant was filed, law enforcement was contacted by an acquaintance of Aslett’s, who admitted to having the black BMW at Second Dam around the time of the alleged offense.
“Because of this new evidence,” Murray wrote in the motion, “the State believes it to be in the interest of justice to dismiss this case.”
Aslett’s defense attorney Paul Gosnell said it was obvious that his client was not the individual law enforcement were looking for. He also noted that the witnesses were never able to both positively identify Aslett in a photo lineup at the Cache County Sheriff’s Office.
Murray asked that the case be dismissed with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot refile the same claim again in court. Judge Cannell granted the motion and dismissed the case Feb. 3.
What a waste of resources. All based off some karen fake ass complaint.
But they do have the name of the friend of his who admits borrowing his car at the time.
Brilliant detective work! Generally it makes more sense to figure out who the suspect is before issuing warrants, but what do I know?
The case #22110034 against Mr Aslett was dismissed with prejudice by the Judge Brian Cannell on January 22, 2022. Mr Aslett was not at the scene nor does he match the description given by the claimants.
What is unfortunate is that Mr Aslett now has to deal with the backlash of having that initial claim out there. It’s available to any in the world who search his name on the internet! There is no real way to undo what has been done. It’s like taking feathers out of a feather pillow, placing a handful of them on everyone’s doorstep and then going back a few weeks later to retrieve them… 🤷🏼♂️
Only in Cache Valley, folks!
A yeah! That poor guy should have never been charged at all. I am a retired leo and whoever the boot who hung paper on this case. Well that person wins the Barney Fife award for being a tool. It is simply not the way the law works, that person really needs to go back to through field training.
Good people don’t make bogus reports. Bridger and Georgia should payback the wasted resources it cost the taxpayers .
Seems to me no crime was committed in the first place. No reason why the cops should’ve charged this guy. Shoddy police work!