A girl who at the age of 13 exchanged sexual favors for cigarettes and alcohol filed a lawsuit in 4th District Court Friday seeking damages from several men who were charged with sex crimes by the county attorney's office.
The suit filed on behalf of the girl by the girl's natural mother and Mark K. Stringer, appointed guardian ad litem by the Juvenile Court, is seeking special, general and punitive damages from Jack Johnston, 56, Moroni, Maurice C. Smith, 62, Pleasant Grove, William O. Hayes, 66, Highland and up to 10 John Does whose identity has yet to be determined.Johnston pleaded guilty to sodomy on a child Nov. 30 and was sentenced to five years to life in the Utah State Prison. Smith also pleaded guilty to sodomy on a child Oct. 5 and was sentenced to five years to life in prison. Hayes is charged with attempted rape and sexual abuse of a child. He requested a competency evaluation and a hearing to determine if he is competent to stand trial.
The suit says that the identity of the John Doe defendants is currently unknown, but the plaintiff reserves the right to amend the complaint to add more defendants once they are identified.
The suit alleges the men engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl and touched her in a way to bring sexual gratification beginning in January 1989 and continuing into March 1990. It says the men should have known the consequences of their actions and that they acted in reckless disregard for the girl's physical and emotional well being.
"As a result of the aforesaid acts of the defendants and each of them, the plaintiff has suffered permanent and debilitating emotional and psychological injuries, to a degree not yet fully ascertained, but for which she shall be entitled to relief upon proof at trial," the suit says.
The suit says the girl has incurred and will continue to incur medical and psychological expenses due to the defendants' actions.
During criminal court proceedings, prosecutors alleged that the girl had sex with the men in exchange for cigarettes and beer. The girl, now 15, is a patient at the Utah State Hospital.