Police say Utah man sexually abused girl for years starting when she was 10

HEBER CITY, Utah (KSTU) -- A Kaysville man was arrested Thursday night in Heber City on a warrant after being charged with 26 counts of sexual abuse and assault over the span of several years.

Jesse Paul Murff, 39, was charged earlier this week with 21 felonies and three misdemeanors in relation to the sexual abuse of a child. Two additional felony charges were filed for incidents that occurred after the victim turned 18, according to court documents.

Police say Murff repeatedly sexually abused a girl starting when she was 10 years old. Court documents state that over the years, he forcibly touched and assaulted her, and forced her to perform sexual acts on him. He also reportedly showed her pornography, telling her they were "teaching moments." He is also accused of threatening the girl that he would kill her and her family if she told anyone.

On Thursday, the Davis County Sheriff's Office contacted Heber City Police for help apprehending Murff, who they believed was in the Heber area. He was "actively evading law enforcement and possibly attempting to leave the state," they said. He was taken into custody after a "high risk traffic stop" involving Heber City Police, undercover Davis County Deputies and Utah Highway Patrol.

Murff is charged with 6 counts of forcible sodomy; 5 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child; 4 counts of object rape; 3 counts of rape; 4 counts of forcible sexual abuse; 1 count of dealing harmful materials to a minor; 2 counts of lewdness involving a child; and 1 count of lewdness.