Child exploitation case against former fire chief transferred to FBI over conflict of interest
Related video: Former Tremonton fire chief makes first appearance on child sex crime charges
BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah () — On Monday, Brigham City announced that the child exploitation case involving the former chief of the was transferred because of a conflict of interest.
The and the FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force are now in charge of the investigation, and took over the case at the end of February, according to the .
Former Tremonton fire chief makes first appearance on child sex crime charges
'The Brigham City Police Department has not been involved with the investigation since that time but will continue to fully cooperate with the process moving forward,' the police department said in a press release.
The announcement of the case's transfer was made the same day that the former fire chief — Ned Brady Hansen, 54 — . Hansen was on several felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
On Monday, officials said the case was originally transferred to Brigham City Police by the due to a conflict of interest, as Hansen was an employee of Tremonton City.
In February, Brigham City officials said further investigation revealed the involvement of another possible suspect: Kevin Christensen, 64, who was serving as a justice court judge. Christensen was and .
Court documents allege Hansen and Christensen had a sexual relationship with each other, and would discuss child sex abuse material (also referred to as child pornography) with each other.
'Due to this far-reaching conflict of interest, BCPD sought the assistance of an outside agency unassociated with Box Elder County and even the First Judicial Court District of Utah,' Brigham City clarified Monday.
Brigham City and the police department expressed sympathies to the victims of the alleged crimes.
Report child pornography to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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