Trina A. Higgins, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah
A grand jury in the District of Utah has issued a superseding indictment against Ian West, a 50-year-old resident of Mountain Green, Utah. The charges include assaulting a former intimate partner by strangulation and attempted strangulation while he was overseas with the U.S. military, followed by cyberstalking after his return to Utah.
Court documents reveal that West was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, working as a teacher for the U.S. Department of Defense when the alleged assault occurred on or about March 31, 2024. Upon returning to Utah, West is accused of cyberstalking the victim by creating fake online profiles advertising massage and escort services. These profiles reportedly included intimate photos and personal contact information of the victim, resulting in unwanted communications from individuals seeking sexual encounters.
West was initially charged on January 15 with assault involving strangulation or attempted strangulation of a spouse or intimate partner. The recent superseding indictment on February 12 adds charges of cyberstalking. If convicted, West could face up to 10 years in prison.
The FBI and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are conducting investigations into this case. Trial Attorney Taryn Meeks from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hirata for the District of Utah are leading the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
