Sentencing set back for offender
 
By DAVID DEMILLE
ddemille@thespectrum.com
Wayland Wyler

CEDAR CITY - The sentencing date has been postponed for a 41-year-old Southern Utah man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a female relative, beginning when she was 8 years old.

Wayland Wightman Wyler, a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, could face up to 30 years in jail. He was originally arrested in March of 2006 on charges he sexually molested the relative multiple times over a three-year period. His sentencing date was moved to July 28.

Wyler pleaded guilty to two second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child (domestic violence) last month and faces two one- to 15-year sentences.

He faces similar charges in Washington County, but those could be dismissed following the plea agreement in Iron County.

According to court documents, the victim testified that Wyler began molesting her when she was 8 years old and continued for three years before she notified her mother. The mother then contacted law enforcement.

The sentencing was scheduled for Monday, but Wyler's attorney, Alan Boyack of St. George, is out of town for continuing legal education, said Brian Adamson, an attorney in Boyack's office.

Monday's postponement was the latest in a series of delays in the case, which has involved several twists and turns. Iron County Sheriff's deputies started a search for Wyler when he was first charged in 2006 until he eventually tuned himself in.

In October of last year, Wyler missed three court dates in Iron County and was hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning after he was reportedly found unconscious in his garage with a vehicle running.

Wyler originally pleaded innocent to the charges under his first defense attorney, Kenneth Combs. During a December hearing in Washington County, Fifth District Judge Eric Ludlow ruled Wyler would stand trial after hearing testimony from the alleged victim.

Earlier this year, Wyler changed attorneys. Chief Deputy Iron County Attorney Troy Little said that is when Wyler considered pleading guilty.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published July 15, 2008
 
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