A 46-year-old man from Logan has been taken into custody following an incident where a woman approached a deputy in Logan Canyon, reporting that she had been abducted and assaulted, as stated by law enforcement officials.
Christopher Mark Derring was taken into custody on Monday at the Cache County Jail after an inquiry was conducted.
A Cache County Sheriff’s deputy was reported to be driving through the canyon along US-89 on September 11, as detailed in an arrest affidavit. A woman from Salt Lake City gestured for them to halt near the Stokes Nature Center, asserting that Derring had taken her from a hotel in Ogden.
The individual in question recounted her experience of being at a friend’s place when Derring proposed to drive her home. Instead of returning her to Salt Lake City, he took her to his apartment in Logan, where she was reportedly subjected to repeated rape and assault.
The woman recounted to authorities the brutal assault she endured at the hands of Derring, who struck her with various items such as a flashlight, a pipe, and a shattered towel rack.
The individual stated that the accused intended to transport her to a location in Idaho, where he allegedly mentioned plans to “leave her in a secluded spot to perish,” as detailed in the probable cause statement.
Authorities conducted a search of the vicinity and discovered Derring resting in his vehicle, with the engine still on. He was found to have methamphetamine, fentanyl, and prescription drugs in his system.
The individual in question asserted that she was confined for a duration of four days. Alongside the harrowing accounts of repeated assault, she recounted how Derring applied glue to her hair, asserting it was a form of “treatment” following an attempt to cut it, as outlined in court documents.
Authorities observed that the woman exhibited bruising on her feet, legs, shoulders, back, eyes, and jaw. She sustained a significant scrape on the upper part of her forehead.
Derring has allegedly been interrogated by authorities. He refuted the claims prior to requesting legal representation.
Authorities secured a warrant to conduct a search of Derring’s residence. In a bedroom, multiple small blood stains were discovered on a pillow. A broken towel rack and a blood-stained white towel were discovered in the bathroom.
Jail records indicate that Derring has been booked on suspicion of several serious offenses, including forcible sodomy, kidnapping, and aggravated assault. He remains in custody without the option for bail, awaiting his arraignment on official charges in the 1st District Court of Logan.