Eagle Mountain man facing 23 felony child sexual exploitation charges – KMYU

Report on Law Enforcement Action Against Child Exploitation in Utah County and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Case Summary

A recent law enforcement action in Eagle Mountain, Utah, highlights critical efforts in combating child exploitation, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kevin William Golding, 26, was arrested and faces 23 felony charges related to the possession, creation, and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This case underscores the vital role of justice systems in protecting vulnerable populations and advancing global safety and well-being targets.

Investigation and Charges

The judicial process was initiated following a detailed investigation by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.

1. Initiation: In April 2025, an investigation commenced based on nine cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), flagging alleged CSAM downloads by the suspect between January and November 2024.
2. Investigation: Following a three-month investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.
3. Arrest and Admission: Kevin William Golding was arrested and subsequently admitted to investigators his involvement in viewing, downloading, and trading CSAM via online chat groups. He confirmed using the online persona “Pedo” for these activities.
4. Threat to Community Safety: The suspect also admitted to fantasizing about kidnapping children within the community, posing a direct threat to public safety and security.
5. Charges: The suspect was booked into the Utah County Jail on 13 first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 10 second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case is a stark illustration of the challenges addressed by the SDGs and demonstrates tangible action toward achieving specific targets.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.2: The core of this case directly addresses the goal to “end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The investigation and subsequent charges represent a crucial function of a strong justice institution working to protect children from exploitation.
  • Target 16.3: The arrest and prosecution promote “the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all.” By holding an alleged perpetrator accountable, the justice system reinforces legal frameworks designed to safeguard children.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  • Target 3.4: The profound and lasting psychological trauma inflicted upon victims of child sexual abuse is a severe detriment to their mental health and well-being. Preventing such crimes is essential for fostering healthy lives for all children.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.7: The suspect’s admission of fantasizing about abducting children while driving through the community directly undermines the goal to “provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible… public spaces.” The safety of a community is compromised when its youngest members are under threat, preventing the realization of a truly sustainable and secure environment.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.2: This case contributes to the broader goal to “eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including… sexual and other types of exploitation,” as girls are disproportionately victims of such crimes globally.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article directly relates to SDG 16 by focusing on crime, justice, and the protection of children. The entire narrative revolves around the investigation and arrest of an individual for committing serious crimes against children, specifically the creation, possession, and trading of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This highlights the role of justice institutions like the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and its Special Victims Unit in combating violence and exploitation. The filing of “nearly two dozen felony charges” is a clear example of the justice system in action to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure peace and safety within the community.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• While the gender of the victims is not specified, child sexual exploitation is a recognized form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects girls. The article discusses “sexual exploitation of a minor,” which falls under the umbrella of eliminating violence and exploitation, a key component of SDG 5. The actions described, such as trading CSAM and fantasizing about kidnapping, represent extreme forms of violence and exploitation that this goal aims to eradicate.

Specific Targets Identified

Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

• This target is the most relevant to the article. The content is explicitly about child sexual abuse and exploitation. The suspect admitted to “viewing, downloading, and trading child sexual abuse material” and was charged with multiple counts of “aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor” and “sexual exploitation of a minor.” The investigation was initiated based on tips concerning the downloading and trading of CSAM, which are forms of child trafficking and exploitation.

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

• This target is applicable as the crimes described—”sexual exploitation of a minor” and trading of CSAM—are severe forms of sexual violence and exploitation. The online chat rooms where the material was traded represent a sphere where this violence occurs, and the goal is to eliminate such activities. The investigation and arrest are direct actions toward achieving this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied Indicators from the Article

• The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it contains several data points that can serve as practical, localized indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets. These include:
• Number of cyber tips from national reporting centers: The investigation began after receiving “nine cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children,” indicating a mechanism for reporting and tracking online child exploitation.
• Number of investigations by specialized units: The article notes that the “Utah County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit opened an investigation,” which can be tracked as a measure of institutional response to such crimes.
• Number of arrests for child exploitation crimes: The arrest of the suspect is a key outcome and a measurable indicator of law enforcement effectiveness.
• Number of criminal charges filed: The suspect is “facing 13 first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and 10 second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.” This serves as a strong indicator of the justice system’s actions to prosecute offenders.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kmyu.tv