This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A staffer at a St. George school for troubled youth has been charged with sexually abusing three male students.
Diarra Niccole Fields, 27, was charged Friday in 5th District Court with sodomy on a child, forcible sodomy and aggravated sexual abuse of child — all first-degree felonies — and two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
According to a probable cause statement filed by police in 5th District Court, a 16-year-old boy who was attending Red Rock Canyon School — a youth residential treatment center in St. George — told his mother he was involved in an "inappropriate relationship" with Fields.
During an interview with police, the boy said he had touched Fields' genitals on several occasions and said he knew of another 16-year-old boy who was also involved with Fields.
Police interviewed the second 16-year-old boy, who also told officers that he had similarly touched Fields and that a third 13-year-old boy also had a similar experience.
Officers then interviewed the 13-year-old boy, who reluctantly told officers that he had also similarly touched Fields.
Police said Fields is a staff member at the school, but it was not apparent from the court documents what position of employment he held there or how closely he interacted with the alleged victims. Fields' name does not appear on the school's website.
Fields was arrested Thursday and was taken to the St. George Police Department for questioning. According to court documents, Fields said he was never left alone with any of the boys, and he also denied that any of the boys have seen his genitals or that he ever talked to the boys about his genitals.
Fields is listed as a quarterback for the Dixie Rebels, a semi-pro football team based in St. George. According to the team's website, Fields has played for the team for four years after graduating from Dixie State College.
Attempts to reach Red Rock Canyon School on Friday were unsuccessful.
Twitter: @jm_miller