Dennis Steadman, a Unified Fire Authority battalion chief, was formally charged Friday with two counts of enticing a minor over the Internet.
The charges, filed in 3rd District Court by the Utah Attorney General's Office, state Steadman, using the screen name "fireman994," made contact online with an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl.
He told the "girl" he is a 54-year-old and repeatedly engaged in conversation regarding sexual acts and his desire to perform them on the girl, charges state.
He made arrangements to meet her in Salt Lake City at 3:30 p.m. Monday, but he didn't show up. While the agent was offline, Steadman left messages for the girl like, "I been thinkin about you all day. We're gonna be good for each other. I think there r a lot of things e can do that r just gonna be a lot of fun for both us."
Steadman then arranged again to meet the girl, this time on Wednesday, according to charges. At 4:05 p.m. undercover officers saw his truck pull into the agreed-upon location. They arrested him and took him to the FBI building for questioning.
It was there, charges state, Steadman admitted to chatting on the Internet with someone he believed to be 13 years old and with whom he had asked to perform sexual acts. He also told them he frequently talks to children regarding sexual matters.
Under the "more about me" section at yahoo.com, a profile of "fireman994" says he's "just not happily wed anymore. Looking for an attractive lady to get to know . . . who knows where it could wind up? Discrete is a big key word here."
Charging documents state Steadman told investigators he feels as if he has a problem and expressed a desire to begin therapy for it.
Both charges against Steadman are second-degree felonies, which carry a possible prison sentence of one to 15 years and a fine of $5,000 on each count.
Steadman has worked for the Unified Fire Authority, formerly the Salt Lake County Fire Department, for more than 30 years.
As of late Friday, he was still in the Salt Lake County Jail and being held on $50,000 bail.
E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com