NEPHI -- Thomas Arthur Green has been summoned to appear in 4th District Court in Nephi on May 2, to face one count of first degree felony rape of a child, four third-degree felony counts of bigamy and one count of criminal nonsupport, also a third-degree felony.
County Attorney David O. Leavitt filed the charges April 17 following an investigation that was prompted by Green's appearance on a national television show.Green, 51, is a resident of Juab County's West Desert area.
"I became aware of Green after he appeared on national television," said Leavitt. "Enough evidence was presented of Mr. Green's violation of the law that an investigation was conducted."
On the television program, Green discussed having more than one wife. In the list of charges Green will face, he is accused of cohabiting with his plural wives from May 1, 1999, through Dec. 31, 1999, and of doing so in Juab County. The alleged rape of a child occurred 14 years ago when, according to the charges, Green had sexual intercourse with a child who was under the age of 14 years. The alleged rape took place on or around January 1986, the charges state.
"There is a statute of limitations," Leavitt said. However, law enforcement has four years to act after the incident is reported. "To our best knowledge, we are on firm legal ground"
The court documents also state that Green, knowing that he already had a wife, cohabitated with four other women.