OGDEN — A 65-year-old man was charged with sexual abuse of a child Monday, officials said.
John Joseph McKnight was arrested Friday afternoon by Ogden Police on suspicion of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. McKnight allegedly gave a 10-year-old girl rides to school without her parents knowing and sexually assaulted her, according to charging documents.
A teacher at Gramercy Elementary saw the girl with McKnight, the documents stated.
According to charging documents the child was interviewed at the Children’s Justice Center. It was there she told police that she met McKnight walking to school one day on Park Boulevard.
McKnight reportedly offered to give her rides to school in his car, according to charging documents.
McKnight allegedly admitted to abusing the girl. He also reportedly bought her gifts and gave her money, charging documents stated.
Interviews with the victim’s family and McKnight revealed that the suspect was a stranger to the child and he befriended her with the intent to commit the crime, according to charging documents.
It is unknown how long the McKnight allegedly abused the girl.
McKnight is scheduled to have his initial appearance Nov. 5.
