Governor's aide arrested on sex abuse charges.

By Jasen Asay

Standard-Examiner staff

Last updatedTuesday, March 8, 2011 - 10:52pm

BOUNTIFUL -- A member of Gov. Gary Herbert's staff faces several counts of child abuse following his arrest.

Stephen J. Coleman, 40, was arrested at the Utah State Capitol around 4 p.m. on Monday after police questioned him regarding information they had received.

"We got a complaint from the Division of Child Family Services that they had taken a call alleging Stephen Coleman had sexually abused two small girls," said Lt. Sol Oberg.

Coleman lives in Bountiful, and Oberg said the abuse took place in the city. Police received the tip at 11:30 a.m. and immediately began to investigate.

Coleman was booked into Davis County Jail on suspicion of 30 counts, which include 10 counts of object rape of a child, 10 counts of sodomy of a child and 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

"(There are) a lot of charges, but it's a despicable act and something that has gone on for several years, and we are concerned about the victims," Oberg said.

The investigation stems from allegations involving the two girls, and investigators have no evidence of other possible victims, Oberg said.

One of Coleman's alleged victims -- each younger than 12 -- disclosed the alleged abuse to an adult, Oberg said.

Coleman's wife, Kristin, said in statement that the family was "shocked and devastated" by the allegations of abuse.

"Our immediate focus is getting (the alleged victims) the support and help they need," Kristin Coleman said in a statement issued through the bishop of her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation.

The Davis County Attorney's Office has received some information about Coleman, but charges have not yet been filed.

"We will review all of the evidence that is submitted to us by Bountiful police and when we've got everything we need, we'll make a decision," said Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings.

Coleman has been on the governor's staff since 2009 and works as a budget analyst in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget.

"Stephen Coleman's arrest is not job-related, and he is on personal leave," said Ally Isom, spokeswoman for Herbert. "We will support and cooperate with authorities as they conduct their legal investigation."

Coleman graduated from the University of Central Lancashire, in England, in 1996.

According to a question-and-answer section on the school's website, Coleman said he is an analyst and policy adviser to the governor, with fiscal oversight for a portion of the state's budget. He also advises the governor on all matters relating to policy and pending state and federal legislation.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

http://www.standard.net/topics/sex-abus ... se-charges