Logan man arrested for alleged sexual assault of autistic woman | News

LOGAN – An 81-year-old Logan man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman with autism, according to police. Clyde Erwin Merritt was booked into the Cache County Jail on Friday.

According to the affidavit, Logan City police officers received a report that Merritt had allegedly sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman. The alleged victim suffers from autism and a family member said she reportedly functions at the cognitive level of a 9- to 10-year-old child.

The woman told police she went for a walk with Merritt after he passed her house on April 14. After the walk, they kissed in front of her house. During that time, the woman said he touched and grabbed her buttocks.

Immediately afterwards, the woman went inside, called her father and told him what had happened. Several family members also told police that the alleged victim appeared emotionally distraught, according to the probable cause statement.

On May 3, police contacted Merritt and interviewed him at his home. He admitted to taking a walk with the alleged victim on the day of the allegations. When confronted with the allegations, he said his hand touched her buttocks.

According to jail records, Merritt was booked on suspicion of sexual abuse, a second-degree felony. He was later released pending charges in Logans 1^st District Court.

Persons arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.