Arizona high school teacher accused of attempting to entice minor in Cedar City

Yahoo

31-03-2025

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CEDAR CITY, Utah () — An Arizona high school teacher was taken into custody in Cedar City over the weekend, accused of enticing an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online.
Derek Thomas Lange, 35, was booked into the Iron County Jail where he faces one count of first-degree felony attempted rape of a child, one count of second-degree felony enticing a minor, third-degree felony enticing a minor, and four counts of third-degree felony dealing in materials harmful to a minor.
According to court documents, the officer was responding to listings on several websites, including one allegedly belonging to Lange. In his listing, Lange reportedly described himself as a 34-year-old married man in Southern Utah, looking for a woman between 20 and 50 years old.
The undercover officer responded to the ad, claiming to be a 13-year-old girl who was interested in Lange's alleged ad.
In the conversation that followed, Lange, under a user ID with a fake name, allegedly asked for a picture of the 13-year-old. At one point, Lange allegedly said he was possibly interested but added, 'It's dangerous. You know that, right?'
Police claimed the conversation continued to be sexual in nature, saying that Lange was the 'driver of the sexual conversations.' According to court documents, Lange sent four explicit photos of himself, including one of his face which officers said helped identify using facial recognition.
The two reportedly arranged to meet up on March 29 with what police was the 'clear purpose of engaging in sexual activity.' Officers met up with Lange at the arranged location and safely took him into custody.
When speaking with officers, Lange allegedly admitted to chatting with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and sending sexually explicit photos. He said he drove to Cedar City to meet with the girl. Detectives said they found an unopened box of condoms as well as a sleeping bag and pillows in Lange's van.
Detectives said Utah County investigators also had an open case against Lange, saying they were speaking to him while posing as a minor as well. Lange allegedly admitted to Cedar City investigators to chatting with a girl 'up north' who he also believed to be 13 or 14 years old.
According to arresting documents, Lange is a high school teacher in Colorado City, Arizona, and made comments about having a fantasy about being the victim's teacher or coach.
Superintendent Carol Timpson of the Colorado City Unified School District, where Lange is employed, said the district was made aware of the allegations adding that the school district takes the matter seriously and is fully cooperating with law enforcement.
'The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. Upon learning of the allegations, the district took immediate action to terminate this teacher's employment,' Timpson said in a statement provided to ABC4.com. 'We are committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for all students and staff and will continue to work closely with the appropriate authorities.'
Timpson said there is no information that leads district officials to believe that any students in the Colorado City Unified School District were involved with Lange in connection to the investigation.
Court records show Lange has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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