The Zion Times

By: Sachet A. Carter | The Zion Times
A 21-year-old Enoch man was arrested Friday following a months-long investigation that began after the social media platform “Discord” reported suspected child sexual abuse material to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Joseph Harrison Hein was arrested Aug. 28 and booked into the Iron County Jail on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in Fifth District Court.

Court records show the investigation began Feb. 11, when Discord filed a CyberTipline report with NCMEC regarding a user who allegedly shared suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through a Discord account. The following day, the investigation was forwarded to the Utah Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

According to the search warrant for Hein’s Discord account, an Enoch Police officer assigned to the ICAC Task Force reviewed video files included in the report and determined they depicted child sexual abuse material.

Investigators sent a preservation request to Discord on May 3, directing the company to preserve the account’s existing data while police pursued their investigation. A search warrant for the account records was issued May 24, allowing police to obtain private messages, account histories, uploaded and downloaded files, friend lists, subscriber information, IP logs, location history, images and videos dating from May 1, 2025, through May 20, 2026. The warrant also included current and previously stored communications, including messages and attachments. 

According to the warrant’s affidavit, although investigators had identified the Discord account, the person operating it had not yet been identified. At the time, the account was associated with a phone number, login IP address and an email address containing Hein’s name. Rather than relying solely on those identifiers, investigators sought additional records from Discord that could help establish who controlled and accessed the account.

The court sealed the warrant until Aug. 22, citing concerns that disclosure could lead to flight, destruction or tampering with evidence or otherwise jeopardize the investigation.

On Aug. 28, investigators contacted Hein at his residence. According to the probable cause affidavit, Hein agreed to speak with police after being advised of his Miranda rights.

During the interview, Hein allegedly told investigators he had engaged in an online relationship with an underage girl in Brazil whom he believed to be 15 years old. According to the affidavit, Hein reportedly admitted to receiving multiple nude photographs from the girl and sending explicit photographs of himself to her. 

Hein also acknowledged participating in several online chatrooms or groups where child sexual abuse material was shared, according to the affidavit. He allegedly told investigators additional material was stored on his cellphone, which police seized for further analysis. The affidavit states Hein also admitted to knowingly possessing, viewing and accessing child sexual abuse material.

Police requested that Hein be held without bail, citing the felony charge and what investigators described as a potential danger to others. The investigating officer also noted concerns regarding Hein’s proximity to minors and the potential risk to children with whom he may have regular contact.

Hein was booked into the Iron County Jail shortly after 6 p.m. on Aug. 28th and faces one second-degree felony for sexual exploitation of a minor.

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.