AMERICAN FORK — Brent Whitlock was seen by friends and neighbors in this quiet Utah County burg as a champion of local arts and youth activities.
But a 4th District judge shattered those notions Monday, calling him a predator who schemed to place himself near young men and violate the trust of the community.
For that betrayal, Judge Lynn Davis threw out a recommendation by Adult Probation and Parole for time in jail and sentenced Whitlock to one to 15 years in the Utah State Prison on two second-degree counts of child sex abuse.
Identifying some 19 victims, Davis said Whitlock's offenses outweighed his contributions to his community.
"This is a 20-year crime spree," Davis said. "This is a sad story. A sad story of molestation . . . a story of a blatant breech of trust and exploitation of children."
Before imposing sentence, Davis disclosed that he was friends with Whitlock's parents and has known them since he was a youth. Davis said he grew up picking oranges for the Whitlock family in California but added it did not affect his judgment.
The 45-year-old Whitlock was a teacher for more than two decades at Shelly Elementary School, sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and served in the bishopric of a Latter-day Saint student congregation at Brigham Young University.
Many in American Fork say they feel betrayed and angry with Whitlock, a man they trusted with their children.
Summoning the courage to speak out, one 31-year-old man spoke in court about his sexual abuse by Whitlock when he was a youth.
"I was most likely one of your first victims," the man said. "After you did what you did to me, you worked with my mother and lied to her . . . (you) had every opportunity to show a little backbone. All you'll ever be now is a pedophile and a sex offender to those of us who know you."
Whitlock said he feels deep remorse for what he has done and asked the court to sentence him to two years in the county jail, plus therapy.
"What causes me to question his remorse is that this went on for many, many years," said Utah County deputy prosecutor Sherry Ragan, adding that Whitlock continued to accept callings in his church and accept youth leadership positions in the community, knowing what he was doing.
Whitlock's son chastised victims' families and others, saying they should be ashamed to ask for a strict sentence for his father.
"How dare you, you are hurt and you are shocked — so am I," said Jeffrey Whitlock. "To come here and ask for a higher sentence . . . think about the family first, the family first."
Other members of the community said they now have to deal with their children's ability to trust another adult again.
Friends of Whitlock said in court that they believe he has truly tried to make a change by cooperating with authorities and seeking help.
Ragan countered that Whitlock will likely be a threat to children for the rest of his life.
A fellow teacher, who said she worked with Whitlock a number of years, said she felt betrayed and angered when her son came to her, alleging that Whitlock had abused him.
"I thought I knew the man," she said. "Maybe if I'd taken my son more seriously, maybe other boys wouldn't have been hurt."
Davis credited the courage of two young men, who came forward about a year ago to report the abuse to police. Adding that in a way the whole community is a victim in this case, a noticeably shaken judge left the bench, saying this was difficult case.
"It's a painful way to begin a Monday morning," Davis said.
E-MAIL: gfattah@desnews.com