Global Courant 2023-04-20 06:51:43
A convicted sex offender in Utah was arrested April 14 after detectives learned that the man was not registered as a sex offender at his new address.
According to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, a detective was assigned to investigate the Lehi Farmers Market because it was reported to be in violation of state code and zoning laws.
During the investigation, detectives discovered that one of the operators of the Lehi Farmers Market is 74-year-old Larry Neff Jarvis, a registered sex offender on the Utah Sex Offender Registry, the sheriff’s office said.
Officials say that while the registry lists Jarvis as living in Saratoga Springs, Utah, detectives learned he actually lives at the farmer’s market location but have not updated his address.
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After scouring the social media presence of Lehi Farmers Market, investigators spotted Jarvis dressed as Elmo from the popular children’s TV show “Sesame Street.” (Utah Department of Corrections/Facebook/Lehi Farmers Market)
After scouring the social media presence of Lehi Farmers Market, investigators spotted Jarvis dressed as Elmo from the popular children’s TV show “Sesame Street.”
According to the sheriff’s office, activities at the farmer’s market are aimed at children, including a petting zoo and tractor rides.
According to the Utah Department of Corrections, Jarvis was convicted of two counts of attempted sexual assault in 1995.
Jarvis can be seen in two Instagram photos taken by the sheriff’s office with a child.
Utah law requires anyone on the sex offender registry to obtain written consent from a child’s parents before being in their presence.
Jarvis was arrested and jailed on charges of failing to update sex offender registry address, a third-degree misdemeanor, and sex offender offense in protected territory, a Class A misdemeanor.
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During the investigation, detectives discovered that one of the operators of the Lehi Farmers Market is 74-year-old Larry Neff Jarvis, a registered sex offender on the Utah Sex Offender Registry, the sheriff’s office said. (Utah County Sheriff’s Office)
Jarvis was released a few hours after he was booked and posted $5,000 bond.
In a Facetime conversation with KUTV, Jarvis apologized to the community.
“I have been doing this for 30 years and have committed no other offenses. I am trying to better myself and be helpful to others. I am truly sorry that I have offended anyone and apologize for any fear or undue concern I’ve caused them, especially to my lovely wife and other people I know and have worked with,” Jarvis said. “If they’re concerned, I understand because there’s such a stigma attached to the word sex offender .”
“There are no new offenses or anything like that. I never intended to hide or hide anything. I will do whatever it takes to make things right,” he added.
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Larry Neff Jarvis dresses up as Elmo for the Lehi Farmers Market. (Facebook/Lehi farmers market)
In a statement posted on Facebooksaid the Lehi Farmers Market, “We are investigating all concerns and are working closely with law enforcement to ensure our farm is a safe, family-friendly place to visit.”
“We wanted to have a place where families could come and experience what life on the farm is like. Lehi is a growing city, as part of our goal we wanted families to feel a little bit of that old Lehi. This is a very difficult time. We are following law enforcement guidelines and will work tirelessly until we address all issues.”
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.
