By: Sachet A. Sullivan
A Cedar City man is facing multiple charges after DNA evidence led to his identification in an alleged assault.
Justin Michael Wendling, 32, was booked into the Iron County Jail on Tuesday afternoon on three counts of first-degree felony rape and one second-degree felony for forcible sexual abuse.
Court documents filed in 5th District Court reveal that on December 30, 2023, officers with the Cedar City Police Department responded to Cedar City Hospital after a report of sexual abuse. Hospital staff informed police that a sexual assault examination had been conducted, and DNA evidence had been collected.
During questioning, the victim told investigators that she had been staying at a relative’s home, where Wendling also lived. She explained that on the night of the alleged assault, the relative was out of town.
According to the victim, Wendling had been drinking and made inappropriate gestures throughout the evening. At one point, she began recording him entering her room and is heard repeatedly telling him to leave. The recording reportedly captured Wendling, who appeared intoxicated, allegedly saying, “What if I can’t help it?”
The affidavit states that Wendling left the room but later returned and forced the victim onto the bed, allegedly restraining her. The victim reportedly tried to fight Wendling off and told him to stop multiple times, but Wendling ignored her requests and continued to assault her.
Following the alleged assault, the victim contacted a relative to report the incident. She then went to the hospital for an examination and provided investigators with forensic items related to the case.
A warrant was issued for Wendling’s DNA, which was sent to the Utah State Forensic Lab for analysis. After more than a year, investigators received the results, which indicated a high probability that the DNA belonged to Wendling.
While investigators were obtaining Wendling’s DNA, he reportedly denied assaulting the victim and refused a formal interview.
After receiving the results, a warrant was issued for Wendling’s arrest on Friday, and he was apprehended a few days later on Tuesday afternoon.
In its request for Wendling to be denied bail, the state noted his prior criminal history, including his status as a convicted felon and multi-state offender, and his recent release from parole in 2020.
INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN BOOKED INTO IRON COUNTY JAIL AND ARE ACCUSED OF THE FOLLOWING CRIMES BUT ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
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