Jason Earnest Stark : “Utah man charged for sexually abusing boys”

Pocatello Man Faces Eight Felony Charges for Alleged Sexual Abuse of Multiple Boys

A Utah man, identified as Jason Earnest Stark, 38, is facing a total of eight felony charges related to the sexual abuse of at least seven boys. The charges include four counts of soliciting a child for sexual abuse, two counts of lewd conduct with a minor, one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and one count of allowing a child to witness the sexual abuse of another child.

August 3, 2023

The case came to light when a man approached the Pocatello Police Department to report incidents of sexual assault that occurred in 2016 or 2017 when he was between the ages of 16 and 17. The victim detailed incidents involving Stark and other juvenile male victims.

One victim initially hesitated to discuss the incident, but eventually confirmed Stark’s involvement. It was revealed that Stark had access to boys through his landscaping business, where he employed several young individuals.

The victims recalled the sexual abuse incidents primarily occurring in isolated areas near the town’s train tracks. Stark allegedly began by showing the boys pornography before progressing to requesting sexual favors.

August 22, 2023

Further investigations revealed that Stark was a registered sex offender from Ogden, Utah. Another accusation from Bannock County suggested that Stark solicited nude photos from a 16-year-old boy in exchange for marijuana gummies in 2020.

The Department of Homeland Security also had an ongoing investigation into the 2020 accusations but had not pressed charges despite obtaining a search warrant for Stark’s Snapchat account.

August 24, 2023

Stark’s criminal history showed a prior conviction on three counts of second-degree sodomy in Richmond, Kentucky, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence.

September 6, 2023

Another victim, a high school freshman at the time of the abuse, came forward with similar allegations against Stark. The victim recalled instances where Stark took him to secluded areas to watch pornography before engaging in sexual acts.

The victim estimated being sexually abused by Stark over 100 times during a two-year period.

September 7, 2023

One victim engaged in a monitored phone conversation with Stark at the police department, during which Stark avoided discussing the sexual acts he committed. The victim later disclosed incidents involving Stark attempting to involve animals in sexual acts.

September 11, 2023

Additional victims approached the police department with similar accounts of sexual abuse by Stark, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior.

November 2023

Further information from Kentucky State Police highlighted Stark’s previous conviction involving inappropriate sexual conduct with minors.

Following the receipt of this information, investigators continued to uncover more potential victims in Idaho with similar stories of abuse by Stark.

December 2023

Examination of electronic communications between one victim and Stark revealed sexually explicit content and discussions, corroborating the victims’ accounts.

January 2024

Authorities located Stark in Utah and filed charges against him on April 15. An arrest warrant was executed on May 6, leading to Stark’s incarceration in Bannock County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Stark is prohibited from contacting the known victims pending legal proceedings. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge David Penrod on June 3.

While Stark faces serious charges, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.