A Kearns man has been charged with sexually abusing several young girls in cases spanning more than a decade.
Khamtanth Kommanivong, 29, is charged with 14 felonies including aggravated sexual abuse of a child, child abuse, and forcible sexual abuse. He’s being held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail.
Blake Nakamura, Salt Lake County chief deputy district attorney, described the defendant’s actions as “opportunistic.”
“It’s concerning for the extent of the conduct. It’s concerning because of the number of victims that were involved,” Nakamura told KUTV 2News. “It’s obviously very concerning because of the impact it has on the victims as well, particularly given ages.”
Prosecutors said the sexual abuse – which involved five victims, at least four of whom were in their teens – happened between January 2011 and October 2021. Kommanivong knew the victims, according to charging documents.
West Valley City Police investigated the crimes. Kommanivong was charged Wednesday.
“It’s one of the most reprehensible crimes we have because it preys upon one of the most vulnerable populations in our society,” said Nakamura, noting that information about cases like these often takes time to come out, especially with the trauma victims deal with.
Kommanivong faces serious punishment if he’s convicted.
“These offenses by statute carry significant mandatory sentencing,” Nakamura said.
A court hearing is set for Monday.
In addition to the sexual abuse charges, Kommanivong is charged in a separate vehicle burglary case stemming from 2011. Court records show multiple warrants have been issued throughout the years due to his failure to appear in that case.