The host of a religious public affairs program that focuses on moral issues was arrested last week for allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl he had reportedly been helping with a modeling career.
Lloyd Gerald Pond, 51, Taylorsville, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail last Friday for investigation of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, and dealing in harmful material to a minor, a second-degree felony.The arrest was made after the 14-year-old girl told her junior high school counselor on Nov. 7 that Pond had sexually abused her at his part-time job in a radio station in West Valley City, according to West Valley Police Sgt. Randy Pond.
Gerald Pond is host and executive producer of "Times and Seasons," a public affairs program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is broadcast on radio stations throughout the country.
The program focuses on moral and social issues. In the series, Pond has addressed topics such as "child abuse and its devastating impact on our society" and "the impact pornography can have on families and communities," among other topics such as addiction, marriage and values, religion and health, teaching children values, emotional abuse, and more.
The girl told police that Pond, who lives in her neighborhood and is a member of her LDS ward, befriended her a few years ago and offered to help with a modeling and acting career.
Over the years, Pond had apparently taken pictures of the girl and helped her put together a modeling portfolio, said Sgt. Pond. At some point, the association reportedly "got out of line," the sergeant said.
The girl said Pond would occasionally photograph her at the station in lingerie and in her underwear, a police report states.
The girl alleges that on Nov. 6, she and Pond were together at the station. The girl said Pond showed her pornographic photos, then "enticed" her to perform a sex act on him, said Sgt. Pond.
The girl's sister, who was in the next room playing computer games when the alleged abuse occurred, told detectives that she had heard Pond saying risque things, the report said.
In an interview with police, Pond said that he didn't do anything wrong and that he never touched the girl, according to the police report.
Pond could not be reached Friday at his home or workplace. Pond is on leave from his job with the LDS Church.
The LDS Church declined to comment on the allegations. "The church's position on standards of personal behavior is long-standing and well known," said church spokesman Don LeFevre.
Detectives are still investigating the case but say they are only aware of one alleged incident in which the girl was sexually abused.
Pond, who does not have a criminal record, was released on bail from jail Friday. He was ordered to be under the daily supervision of Pre-Trial Services, undergo a psychological evaluation and follow any direction from psychologists.
Pond was also ordered to have no contact with anyone under 18 except his own children, that he be in the constant custody of a responsible adult and that he remain in his home at all times other than when he is at work or in church.
No criminal charges have been filed. Detectives were to meet with prosecutors Friday to discuss the case.