Taylorsville man accused of sexually abusing teen skaters pleads guilty

A Taylorsville man, accused of forcing teenage boys to expose themselves at skate parks by making threats or offering gifts, reached a plea deal with prosecutors this week.

Keegan Nydegger, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony for which he could be sentenced to up to life in prison. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed a dozen other charges, including forcible sodomy, forcible sexual abuse, several counts of lewdness and sexual battery.

On Wednesday, Nydegger was scheduled to appear in West Jordan for a preliminary hearing, at which prosecutors would have laid out evidence in the case. But Nydegger waived his right to hear the evidence and, instead, entered his guilty plea.

According to court documents, Nydegger approached at least three boys, ages 11 through 13, at a skate park in Salt Lake County last year. The boys told police that Nydegger bought them burgers, ice cream and other favors while he would drive them from skate park to skate park.

While he had the boys in his car, Nydegger would ask them to expose themselves, documents state. He told them "it's not gay to show, it's just gay to touch," the boys said.

If they refused, Nydegger would threaten to "call immigration" on the boys' families, the documents state.

Prosecutors allege that Nydegger slapped the 11-year-old's butt and touched the penises of the two 13-year-old boys on several occasions.

One boy told police that Nydegger asked him to perform sexual favors to "make some extra money." The boy refused.

Nydegger's roommate, an adult male who has a diminished mental capacity as a result of a traumatic brain injury, told police Nydegger groped and raped him, too.

Nydegger, who has been in custody since his December 2012 arrest, is expected to be sentenced in October.

mlang@sltrib.com

Twitter: @marissa_jae