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A 44-year-old woman who worked as a staff member at a Juab County area program for boys with behavioral problems has been sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual acts with five boys housed at the facility.
Katherine Lynn Estep, of Payson, was initially charged in 4th District Court with five counts of first-degree felony forcible sodomy and 10 counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse, alleging she touched the genitals of the five boys — ages 16 and 17 — and performed oral sex on three of them. She was also charged with two class C misdemeanor counts of providing tobacco to minors.
She pleaded guilty in June to seven counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse, each punishable by one to 15 years in prison. The other counts were dismissed.
On Friday, Judge Jennifer Brown ordered the prison terms to run concurrently.
Charging documents state that Estep held a position of special trust with the boys which allowed her to "exercise undue influence" over them.
Estep coerced or enticed the young men into cooperating with her with sexual acts," which occurred between May 1 and May 13 of 2015, charges state. She allegedly told two of the boys that if they did not comply, she would give them a demerit.
Estep also allowed some of the boys to use her cell phone, gave some of them candy and some of them pills, and let two of them use her electronic cigarette, charges state.
Officials at The Journey have previously declined to comment on the case.
According to the program's website, boys 13 to 18 meet with therapists, participate in service projects and outdoor activities, and are able to work with animals.