A Logan man who pleaded guilty in October to verbally and physically threatening Logan LDS Temple patrons was ordered to stay away from all LDS properties as part of his sentencing Monday.
“These were violent acts against individuals of a religion,” 1st District Court Judge Thomas Willmore said.
Willmore sentenced Zachary Simpson, 26, to 53 days in jail, with time served, ordered him to complete 60 hours of community service, to continue seeing a mental health specialist and to take his medication.
“If you don’t, and they bring you back, you’re going to jail,” Willmore said.
Simpson was arrested Sept. 4 by Logan police for wielding a hammer at six temple patrons and yelling obscenities. He also smashed out the window of a Jaguar car parked near the temple grounds and destroyed cable boxes at Temple Shadow Apartment Complex.
Simpson was originally charged with simple assault and criminal mischief with a hate crime stipulation attached to both charges.
According to court documents, Simpson admitted to attacking the temple patrons in order to “scare and “threaten” them.
As per a plea agreement in October, the hate crime stipulation was dropped by the Cache County Attorney’s Office.
Simpson was sentenced Monday on one count of simple assault, an “A” misdemeanor and two counts of criminal mischief, both “B” misdemeanors.
Cache County Deputy Attorney Bruce Ward said the state’s interest in the case was to make sure Simpson got the mental health counseling and treatment that he needs.
“I think the amount of time he’s done in jail and the state hospital suffices to this point,” Ward said.
Willmore order Simpson to pay $650 in restitution to the owner of the Jaguar. Additional restitution for destroying the cable boxes is pending.
Simpson has reportedly moved to Salt Lake City where he is living with and being supervised by his parents.