Steven R. Thorum performed fake pap smear and breast exams to see for himself if there was a sexual component to his wife's visits to a male gynecologist, his defense attorney said.
The former Salt Lake County jail officer was ordered Friday to serve a year in jail for sexually abusing women and stealing uniforms and other police paraphernalia.Brad Rich said his client became obsessed with thoughts that a male gynecologist was examining his wife. "She refused to change to a female doctor, and he wouldn't let go of that," Rich told 3rd District Judge Richard Moffat.
That's when Thorum began calling women - apparently at random - setting up appointments for breast and other gynecological examinations. Prosecutors say he purported to be a doctor's representative, and as many as nine women allowed Thorum into their homes to conduct the fake medical exams.
Thorum apparently made between 500 and 1,000 phone calls to various women. Rich said Thorum read some medical texts to acquaint himself with some of the procedures and also obtained some
kind of medical equipment that he used.
Rich said his client did not perform the tests on the women for his sexual satisfaction "but to see what a doctor experiences in performing an exam." Eventually Thorum came to the conclusion that the exams were medical and not sexual in nature, he said.
"I think that's an incredible story," prosecutor Greg Skordas said of Rich's explanation. He called Thorum a "predator in every respect."
Skordas said Thorum is a predator because he molested women who trusted him and stole from his employer. "He takes advantage of people whose trust he can develop."
But Rich said Thorum "found himself in the grips of a compulsion he didn't know how to deal with" and was psychologically incapable of stopping the obsessive- compulsive behavior without help.
Thorum, 24, of Sandy, pleaded guilty to theft, a second-degree felony, practicing without a license and attempted forcible sexual abuse, both third-degree felonies.
The theft charge stemmed from merchandise taken from Eagle Co., which sells uniforms, holsters, boots, handcuffs and other police items to officers, firefighters and security guards. Thorum worked at the company and stole items, then allegedly sold the merchandise to unsuspecting deputy sheriffs and police officers he knew. Investigators believe about $12,000 in merchandise was taken.
"I am absolutely convinced this is a chapter in Steve's life that is closed," said Rich, who asked that his client be given probation. "He has always endeavored to live an upright and moral life."
But the judge called Thorum's behavior "extremely egregious" and questioned why he had not sought professional help if he had indeed, as Rich indicated, realized he was doing wrong.
"If he's making between 500 and 1,000 calls, one of those calls could have been to a doctor," Moffat said.
The judge ordered Thorum to serve a year in jail, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours of community service, attend a sex-offenders program, pay full restitution and serve 36 months' probation.
He was ordered to report to the jail on May 14. However, since Thorum is a former Salt Lake County jailer, it is unknown where he will be housed in the state.