A 51-year-old North Summit man could spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty last December to two first-degree felonies for sodomy and aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
Judge Bruce Lubeck sentenced Michael Bosworth to prison terms of 15 years to life and five years to life during 3rd District Court proceedings March 16.
Bosworth was charged last August with three felonies related to sexual abuse of a child after his victim disclosed the abuse to a religious leader, prosecutors say.
The crimes reportedly began in the 1990s when Bosworth’s victim was about six years old, Summit County prosecutor Joy Natale said.
“It’s something she is going to have to live with for the rest of her life,” Natale said.
Bosworth will likely serve at least 15 years in prison before the Utah Board of Pardons considers parole, Summit County Attorney David Brickey said.
First-degree felonies are punishable by sentences of up to life in prison.
“All sexual offenses involving children are egregious, but this one was particularly egregious,” Natale said. “It started when she was very young.”
The victim’s mother kept the abuse secret for several years, Natale said.
“It’s really sad,” Natale said.
Similar cases are more common than one might expect, she said.
“I’m pretty confident they happen a lot more than we realize,” Natale said. “These cases really never have a happy ending There is really no way to fix that.”
The victim asked the court for leniency for her abuser, Natale said.
“Anybody who can engage in this type of behavior is a predator,” Natale said. “I seriously consider what the victims have to say, but my ultimate responsibility is to the community, protecting the community.”