A former Utah district court judge accused of seeking child sexual abuse material and engaging in sexually explicit online conversations with minors will stay behind bars as his criminal case proceeds.
On Wednesday, 2nd District Judge Catherine Conklin denied bail for Kevin Robert Christensen, 65, citing evidence that a reasonable jury could convict him and determining that he poses a risk to the community. Christensen remains in custody at the Davis County Jail, where he has been held since his arrest earlier this year.
Christensen previously served as a 1st District Court judge in Box Elder County before being arrested in March 2025. He later resigned from his judicial position following the charges.
List of Charges
Prosecutors have filed the following charges against Christensen:
- Two counts of enticing a minor — one second-degree felony and one third-degree felony
- Three counts of attempted aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor — second-degree felonies
- One count of obstruction of justice — second-degree felony
- Two counts of dealing in materials harmful to a minor — third-degree felonies
All counts are being prosecuted in 2nd District Court.
Details from the Investigation
According to the charging documents, Christensen allegedly used the Kik messaging application to communicate about child sexual abuse, share and seek sexually explicit material, and entice minors.
Investigators wrote that Christensen “used Kik to communicate with others about sexually abusing children, sexually exploiting children, and enticing children.” The court filing further states that he sent “multiple inappropriate pictures,” and “in many of the chats [he] expresses his sexual interest in young children.”
The state’s evidence indicates that Christensen allegedly participated in these chats over several months, using various accounts.
Authorities say some of the explicit communications involved former Tremonton Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen, who faces separate but related criminal charges. Both cases were investigated in connection to online discussions discovered during a wider criminal probe into child exploitation.
Court Hearing and Bail Decision
During Wednesday’s hearing, Christensen’s attorney requested that his client be released on bail. Prosecutors opposed the motion, arguing that the nature of the allegations and the content of the messages demonstrated that Christensen was a potential danger to the community.
Judge Catherine Conklin agreed with the prosecution, stating in her ruling that:
“There is evidence to establish that a reasonable jury could convict the defendant of this crime based on the specifics of the chats. The court also finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant would present a risk to the community and denies the defendant’s motion.”
The court consequently denied bail, ordering that Christensen remain held without the possibility of release while the case is pending.
Other Motions and Case Updates
Also during Wednesday’s proceedings, defense attorneys filed a motion requesting that certain evidence be discussed during a closed hearing to protect the victims involved. However, after prosecutors clarified their evidentiary approach, the defense withdrew the motion.
Both cases — Christensen’s and Hansen’s — are proceeding separately but are linked through the investigation.
Christensen’s next court hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2025. Hansen’s next hearing is set for November 13, 2025.
Background and Professional History
Before his arrest, Christensen served as a 1st District Court judge, overseeing cases in Box Elder County, part of Utah’s northern judicial district. His tenure as a judge ended in March 2025 following his arrest and subsequent resignation.
According to prior reports, both the Utah Judicial Council and Utah State Courts acknowledged his resignation and noted that a new judge was later appointed to fill the vacancy.
Christensen’s arrest and charges have prompted reviews of his prior professional conduct, though no other allegations related to his time on the bench have been publicly disclosed.
Related Case: Former Fire Chief Ned Brady Hansen
Investigators have confirmed that some of Christensen’s explicit online conversations were with Ned Brady Hansen, the former Tremonton Fire Chief. Hansen is also facing multiple felony charges, including enticing a minor and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor.
Court filings allege that the two men discussed topics involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children through online platforms. Both were charged separately but under overlapping evidence uncovered by state investigators.
Hansen resigned as Tremonton’s fire chief after his arrest and has also pleaded not guilty. His case remains ongoing.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Christensen’s defense is expected to file additional pre-trial motions before the next hearing. Prosecutors have not announced whether they intend to seek enhanced sentencing based on the defendant’s former position as a judge.
If convicted on all counts, Christensen could face multiple decades in Utah state prison, depending on how the charges are grouped or sentenced.
