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Heber City bounce house operator arrested for child sex abuse

Posted at 1:14 PM, Jun 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-09 15:30:35-04

HEBER CITY, Utah - The operator of a Heber City bounce house and water slide business has been arrested for child sex abuse.

Heber City Police said 33-year-old Bryce Johnson is facing three counts of First Degree Felony Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Police said Johnson is the owner/operator of Fun Stuff, LLC., which operates Heber Bounce, a bounce house/water slide entertainment company with other business interests involving children. The company also operates several business that offer ice skating lessons and coaching: "Going For Gold", "Midway Learn to Skate" and "Ice Kidpade"

Johnson operated the skating lessons and training out of the Midway City Ice Rink.

So far, three juvenile victims have come forward. According to a statement of probable cause, a 10-year-old boy reported that Johnson paid him $50 to pose for pictures while wearing just his underwear. As this was happening, the man also pressured the boy into inappropriate sexual contact with another juvenile in the home.

The victim told police Johnson drove him home afterward and repeatedly instructed the boy to lie to his mother by saying he earned the $50 putting up bounce houses. The boy told his sister about what happened, which led to the authorities being informed.

Another alleged incident occurred at the Midway City Ice Rink, where the man touched the boy inappropriately. Another boy, now 12, told police that when he was 10 he worked for Johnson at the ice rink and that the man had paid him $50 to pose for photos "like a model" in various states of undress. The boy also told police the man touched him inappropriately and told him he loved him.

The boy also said Johnson asked him to cuddle, and on another occasion the man allegedly offered the boy money to "make out with him." The boy named six other minors who allegedly received similar offers from the man.

Officers said they suspect there may be additional potential victims due to Johnson’s proximity to so many children.

Heber officers are asking parents to talk with their children and immediately report any possible abuse or related information to police at (435) 657-7971.

Johnson is in the Wasatch County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.