Former Utah choir director misses court date in child sex-abuse case

The Salt Lake Tribune
July 20, 2015

http://www.sltrib.com/home/2749958-155/former-utah-choir-director-misses-court

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for the former choir director of an Ogden church — charged with having sexual contact with a 12-year-old female parishioner — after he missed a court appearance.

Jose Manuel Zamarripa, 27, was charged last month in 2nd District Court with one count each of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child, second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor and third-degree felony dealing i material harmful to a minor.

Charging documents say Zamarripa and the girl exchanged nude photos via text messaging during a five-month relationship, and that he admitted to police having sexual contact with the girl.

He was booked into the Weber County jail on June 17 and appeared in court on June 22.

The defendant was released from jail the same day after posting nearly $40,000 bail.

When Zamarripa failed to appear in court Monday for a scheduling hearing, Judge Mark DeCaria issued a no-bail bench warrant for his arrest.