Latest news with #ChristopherDavidBurk
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Salt Lake EMT instructor's sexual abuse case to go to trial after 7 female victims testify in court
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100. SALT LAKE CITY () — A former fire captain and EMT instructor will face 15 felony sexual abuse charges in trial after seven victims testified against him during his preliminary hearing Tuesday. Christopher David Burk, 46, was charged with 14 counts of forcible sexual abuse and two counts of attempted forcible sexual abuse earlier this year. The judge dismissed one of the attempted forcible sexual abuse charges at the end of Tuesday's hearing. PREVIOUS STORY: Salt Lake fire captain and EMT instructor charged with sexually abusing students Burk was arrested after two female students spoke with police, alleging they were abused by their EMT instructor. He was originally facing six charges, but has as five other victims came forward after his arrest. During the preliminary hearing, seven women spoke of their experience with Burk as their CPR or EMT instructor at several locations, the majority of which were EMT students at Salt Lake Community College or Utah Valley University. Other victims included a high school student enrolled in a program and an employee attending a CPR training at her workplace. Each woman testified one by one, recounting similar stories of Burk touching them inappropriately. The victims said Burk would ask them to stay after class to review the class content or invite them on 'ride-alongs' with the fire department. When they were alone or out of view, Burk would allegedly demonstrate different 'medical assessments' on the students. The victims all said he touched them inappropriately during the demonstrations. 'I didn't know what he was doing and I didn't know how far he was gonna take it.' -A victim's testimony in court One victim said Burk unbuttoned her top and did an assessment 'skin to skin.' Another said he lifted her shirt to do lung assessment demonstrations and touched her in her groin area under her clothes. The victim said she was 'afraid to report any of it' since she was going through a hard time in her life and Burk was her 'only support.' Another victim testified in court that Burk had touched her breasts under her clothes four times while supposedly helping her review content after class. She said he 'had touched every part of me' and she 'knew what he was doing.' The victim told the court she didn't let on that she knew what was happening because she just wanted to 'make a safe exit,' saying it was after a late-night class and she didn't know if there was anyone else in the building. 'What was going through your mind at this time?' prosecutors asked the victim. 'I was terrified,' she said. 'I didn't know what he was doing and I didn't know how far he was gonna take it.' Prosecutors called an EMT SLCC coordinator to the stand who said instructors should always be doing demonstrations in class on other instructors, not students. She said EMTs are taught to always use the back side of their hands to make sure patients are not uncomfortable. When asked by prosecutors if there is 'ever a scenario where your instructors would demonstrate by cupping a female student's breast,' she said, 'That should never be the case.' The Sandy police detective leading the case took to the stand during the preliminary hearing, describing the process of arresting Burk. He said he could not get in contact with him for nearly two months and had to arrest Burk using unmarked vehicles. The detective said when interviewing him he denied touching underneath the student's clothing. Despite one victim's claims that SLCC had known of UVU sexual abuse allegations involving Burk, the school told ABC4 they were 'unaware of any accusations or charges regarding sexual abuse until the student came forward.' The school said Burk was employed with the school from July to November of last year. 'After a SLCC EMT student filed a complaint on November 20, 2024, the college took immediate action and placed Burk on administrative leave the next day (Nov. 21) pending an investigation. When Burk was arrested on Jan. 30, 2025, this is when SLCC learned about Burk's criminal charges. Burk was immediately fired,' the statement read. Burk's next hearing is on April 15 when court officials will agree on a date for his trial. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Salt Lake fire captain and EMT instructor charged with sexually abusing students
SALT LAKE CITY () — A captain with the Salt Lake City Fire Department has been charged for allegedly sexually abusing two students while he worked as an EMT instructor at a Salt Lake County community college. Christopher David Burk was charged in the Third District Court with six counts of second-degree felony forcible sex abuse and one count of third-degree felony attempted forcible sexual abuse. North Salt Lake man killed in Nevada car crash 'The defendant, in this matter, used his position of trust as a paramedic instructor and firefighter at a local station to prey upon his victims,' charging documents state. Wednesday, without naming Burk, the Salt Lake City Fire Department released a statement that a firefighter had been placed on administrative leave following misconduct allegations. 'In line with this commitment, we take any allegations of misconduct seriously andare dedicated to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation process,' the statement said in part. 'The Salt Lake City Fire Department holds all members to the highest standards of conduct both on and off duty. Any behavior that does not align with these standards will be addressed swiftly and appropriately.' According to charging documents, in October 2024, a student told Sandy City police that she was enrolled in EMT classes at the community college and that Burk asked her if she wanted to stay behind and 'review some things' at the end of class. He took her to another classroom where he allegedly said he would show her how to 'do assessments.' He then allegedly sexually assaulted the student. In January 2025, a Sandy police detective was informed by the college that a second student reported that Burk had sexually assaulted her. She allegedly told police that while she was a student in the EMT program, she felt 'targeted' by him. She told police that he would often use her as an example to demonstrate assessments to the class and that he touched her inappropriately when doing so on multiple occasions. Burk reportedly asked her to go on a ride-along with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, to which she agreed believing it would allow her to see real-world applications of what she learned in class. Charging documents state that during the ride-along, Burk would try to 'keep her in areas of the fire department where they were alone.' The student reportedly said that he took her to an office to do assessments, where the assault happened. The charging documents state that both students were fearful of reporting the incidents as they were scared of potential retaliation that could affect their schooling or future employment. 'Other program instructors have confirmed to Sandy City police that the 'assessments' demonstrated by Burk that led to the nonconsensual sexual touching are not legitimate techniques taught in EMT courses,' a press release from the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office said. In the release, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill addressed the importance of students feeling safe in school. 'If you find yourself in an unsafe situation, I encourage you to report it to the authorities. Your reports are essential to our prosecution. We can only prosecute offenses that are reported to law enforcement. If we cannot prosecute, we cannot hold individuals accountable for their actions,' he said. 'I want to thank the efforts of Sandy City police for investigating this case. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.' Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
