A bizarre case that began in December 2021 when a man kidnapped a Snow College student has come to a conclusion. Brent Brown, 42, pleaded “no contest” to one count each of kidnapping and obstruction of justice, 2nd degree felonies, and one count of forcible sexual abuse, a 3rd degree felony. In late December 2021, Brown drove to Ephraim and picked up a 19-year old Snow College freshman for an arranged online date, but he ended up holding the girl in Loa against her will for five days while repeatedly sexually assaulting her.  She was found after she was spotted by officers in the basement of Brown’s mother’s house during a house-to-house search. The girl said Brown forced her to remove her clothes and would not allow her to get dressed for the five days. Part of the time she was required to hide in a coal storage area in the basement, and Brown admitted to tying the girl up while he went to work each day.

The no contest plea means Brown does not admit guilt but does acknowledge the state has enough evidence to prove the charges. And even though the charges were reduced in the plea agreement, Sanpete County Attorney Kevin Daniels will ask for the sentences to run consecutive to each other when Brown is sentenced in Loa on September 9.   Brown faces up to 35 years in prison.