SALT LAKE CITY — A 32-year-old man is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault and unlawful detention after he allegedly assaulted a stranger on the Jordan River Trail. Investigators said that following the alleged assault, the broke into an ex's home and threatened them with a firearm.
Brigham Vladen Morse was arrested Thursday and is being held without bail.
Salt Lake City police were alerted to the assault on Saturday after the victim reported that she was running along the trail when Morse approached her and made a comment about being naked in the river with him.
The victim said Morse placed his hand on her buttocks and followed her as she continued on the trail. Throughout the walk, the victim stated that Morse made multiple comments about having sex with her in the weeds and how aroused he was.
Morse allegedly told the woman that he had a short temper and had put friends in the hospital when they upset him. At one point, the victim attempted to walk down a road away from the trail, but Morse continued to guide her along the trail and warned her not to anger him.
The victim said Morse grabbed something from his backpack and put it in his pocket. While she didn't see what the object was, the woman feared it was something dangerous.
At the end of the encounter, the woman claimed Morse hugged her and told her to hug him back.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the trail and saw Morse grabbing the victim's hands and moving them towards his crotch. The hug that wasn't reciprocated was also seen, according to detectives.
On Thursday, investigators arrested Morse during a conversation with him, during which he admitted to meeting the woman; however, he claimed to be walking her back to her vehicle.
As to why he hugged the victim, Morse claimed that he did that to "let her know it was okay since she appeared to be scared."
Following the alleged assault, police said Morse broke into an ex's residence and sent them photos of a firearm, threatening suicide by law enforcement.
