This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A former Utah Highway Patrol trooper based in Sevier County has pleaded guilty to charges related to allegations that he sexually abused a young female relative over an eight-year period.

Bruce Turner, 47, of Salina, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of third-degree felony attempted aggravated abuse of a child. Ten other felony charges, ranging from sodomy to forcible sexual abuse charges, were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Turner faces up to five years in prison on each charge when he is sentenced on April 7 by 6th District Judge Marvin Bagley.

In a probable cause statement accompanying the charges against Turner, sheriff's Detective Sgt. Alan Pearson wrote that on Dec. 30, 2012, he, another officer and a child welfare worker interviewed the victim at a Sevier County residence.

The girl, 14 years old at the time of the interview, told Pearson that Turner had been sexually abusing her since age 6, when he put his hand under her clothing and touched her genitalia.

Similar contact purportedly occurred "on a weekly basis" between 2004 and 2007 at locations in Salina.

The alleged abuse halted in early 2010 but resumed in early 2012, according to charging documents.

UHP officials said Friday that Turner resigned two years ago. He was arrested in December 2012 and charges were filed in January of last year.

Twitter: @jm_miller