SYRACUSE — Syracuse police were scheduled to interview four more girls Thursday who say they were sexually assaulted by an LDS Primary teacher.
The girls stepped forward after hearing news reports of the arrest of 32-year-old Aaron Marcos Montoya.
Montoya, who is also a Salt Lake County corrections officer, was charged in 2nd District Court with five counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
Montoya allegedly abused four girls in his Primary class at a ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Syracuse during church services and at his home. All the victims were girls either 5 or 6 years old, according to police.
Four more girls contacted police after hearing of Montoya's arrest, Syracuse police Sgt. Mark Sessions said.
Some of the new alleged abuse cases date back four years, Sessions said. The new alleged victims are up to 15 years old, he said.
Some of the new alleged cases occurred when Montoya was living at his previous residence outside of Syracuse, Sessions said. At least one of the alleged cases involved friends of Montoya's children who were on a camping trip, he said.
None of the new alleged cases involved his church or law enforcement positions, Sessions said.
Investigators planned to interview the children Thursday afternoon to determine if the claims were legitimate.
Montoya remained in the Davis County Jail Thursday on $100,000 bond. He was placed on administrative leave from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Tuesday night, following his arrest.
Montoya's wife was aware of the arrest, Sessions said Thursday. She and her three children were visiting relatives in Georgia and now planned to stay there a little longer, he said.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the families of the four victims asked for privacy as they deal with the situation.
A spokesman for the LDS Church said counselors were being provided to the victims and their families and that the church was fully cooperating with law enforcers.
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