AMERICAN FORK — It was a mistake that carries not only embarrassing consequences but the potential for jail time.
But at this point, prosecutors aren't sure what type of punishment they'll ask for in the case of Isaac Lifferth, 24, who pleaded guilty Friday in 4th District Court to two felonies of unlawful sexual activity with a minor and a misdemeanor of patronizing a prostitute.
"He feels terrible," said his attorney Jere Reneer. "(He's brought) embarrassment on himself and his family. It was a mistake."
Lifferth and Daniel Thompson were arrested Jan. 24 after Orem police investigated claims that two 14-year-old girls had performed sexual favors on the men in the back of Thompson's edited-movie store in Orem, Flix Club.
The two girls had the idea and, through a mediator, contacted Flix Club co-owner Lifferth about trading sexual favors for $20. Lifferth arranged the meetings for him and Thompson.
The girls told the men they were 18, and both Lifferth and Thompson believed them, Reneer said.
The two sexual charges are third-degree felonies and could mean a possibility of 10 years in prison. Patronizing a prostitute is a class B misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of six months in jail.
Prosecutor Curtis Larson said he doesn't know what he'll request until he sees the report from Adult Probation and Parole, who will interview Lifferth and make a recommendation to the judge.
"From the state's perspective, given the circumstances, this is a very serious case," Larson said.
The deal accepted Friday meant Larson dismissed two other unlawful sexual activity charges and another charge of patronizing a prostitute. It was the original offer and was accepted early on, Larson said.
"He has accepted responsibility at a felony level for his conduct," Larson said of Lifferth.
Lifferth will be sentenced June 27. Thompson's case is scheduled for a waiver hearing on May 30.
About a month and a half before the arrest, Thompson bid his Flix Club customers an emotional farewell, saying he was closing because of legal pressures facing his edited-movie business.
After the arrests and during a search of the then-closed store, police found a large number of pornographic DVDs in a back room, along with a keg of beer, alcohol and Lortab pills not in a prescription bottle, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in 4th District Court.
Lifferth also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possession of Lortab, though Reneer said his client wasn't taking them and that they were old pills just lying around.
Lifferth also has a previous conviction for possession of a controlled substance, for which he successfully completed all the probation requirements, Reneer said.
"He's extremely repentant," Reneer said. "I doubt he's going to want to go through this again."
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