FARMINGTON -
A Davis County woman accused of having sex with three teenage boys struck a plea deal that may spare her from prison time. Kimberlee Arigot, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old; unlawful sexual conduct with a minor; and dealing in materials harmful to a minor, all third-degree felonies. In exchange for her guilty plea, Davis County prosecutors dismissed five other felony counts of dealing in materials harmful to a minor.
Prosecutors also agreed not to recommend prison time when she is sentenced next month. She will still spend about a decade on the state's sex offender registry, her attorney said Wednesday.
Arigot left the courthouse quickly, covering her face with a coat and surrounded by family members. Her attorney told Fox 13 News she struck a deal for her family's sake.
"This would be something that she would take one for the team," said Ryan Bushell. "All things considered, the deal was as good as it was going to get. She didn't want to drag her family through a protracted trial."
Arigot was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, and engaging in a sex act with another 17-year-old. Syracuse police said they became aware of the case when nude pictures were sent to teenage boys over cell phones. When they questioned Arigot, police said she confessed.
"This was a case where the individuals involved solicited my client to come meet them," Bushell said Wednesday. "Granted, she probably shouldn't have. But she did."
Davis County prosecutor Richard Larsen was quick to point out that it was Arigot who confessed and pleaded guilty.
The scandalous nature of the case has made it an Internet sensation, with all sorts of comments being made online about Arigot. Questions were raised about a double standard and whether Arigot would avoid prison because she's a woman.
"I think you have to take it on a case by case basis," said Bushell. "Society would look harder on a man because we think that female victims are less culpable or more vulnerable. In this case, these boys actually contacted by client first."
Prosecutors insist that under the law, the teens are crime victims. Larsen said he agreed to a deal to spare the victims from having to testify, adding that going to trial would likely not have accomplished more than what Arigot had already pleaded to.
Prosecutors also agreed not to recommend prison time when she is sentenced next month. She will still spend about a decade on the state's sex offender registry, her attorney said Wednesday.
Arigot left the courthouse quickly, covering her face with a coat and surrounded by family members. Her attorney told Fox 13 News she struck a deal for her family's sake.
"This would be something that she would take one for the team," said Ryan Bushell. "All things considered, the deal was as good as it was going to get. She didn't want to drag her family through a protracted trial."
Arigot was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, and engaging in a sex act with another 17-year-old. Syracuse police said they became aware of the case when nude pictures were sent to teenage boys over cell phones. When they questioned Arigot, police said she confessed.
"This was a case where the individuals involved solicited my client to come meet them," Bushell said Wednesday. "Granted, she probably shouldn't have. But she did."
Davis County prosecutor Richard Larsen was quick to point out that it was Arigot who confessed and pleaded guilty.
The scandalous nature of the case has made it an Internet sensation, with all sorts of comments being made online about Arigot. Questions were raised about a double standard and whether Arigot would avoid prison because she's a woman.
"I think you have to take it on a case by case basis," said Bushell. "Society would look harder on a man because we think that female victims are less culpable or more vulnerable. In this case, these boys actually contacted by client first."
Prosecutors insist that under the law, the teens are crime victims. Larsen said he agreed to a deal to spare the victims from having to testify, adding that going to trial would likely not have accomplished more than what Arigot had already pleaded to.
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