A Farmington man has pleaded guilty after prosecutors said he repeatedly targeted Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall online and then showed up at City Hall during the same time period. The case drew attention because it followed a heated public debate over the city’s decision to adopt new flag designs earlier this year.
What the Guilty Plea Means
Court records cited by prosecutors state that Jason Guy Rogers, 45, pleaded guilty on December 4, 2025 to stalking, a Class A misdemeanor, in Utah’s 2nd District Court. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 15, 2026.
The mayor’s office declined to comment before sentencing and indicated the mayor would address the situation after the January hearing.
How the Case Started
Prosecutors say the investigation began after a series of posts on X that they describe as threatening and directed at Mayor Mendenhall. The posts appeared after news coverage of the mayor’s proposal to adopt three new city flags, a move connected to Utah’s new law restricting which flags can be displayed on government property.
Salt Lake City’s council adopted the flag designs on May 6, 2025, adding three new flags alongside the city’s traditional flag. City officials said the goal was to represent residents and allow continued recognition of community events and identities within the boundaries of state law.
What Police Say Happened Next
According to charging documents summarized in the report, Farmington police located and questioned Rogers on May 20 about the posts. Investigators say that shortly after that encounter, more posts appeared from the same account. KSL
Prosecutors also allege a security team saw Rogers arrive at the Salt Lake City-County Building later that day, and that he appeared to test doors before leaving when he noticed security presence. He was then arrested that afternoon by Salt Lake City police, according to the report.
Why Prosecutors Filed a Stalking Case
In Utah, stalking generally involves a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for safety or experience emotional distress. Prosecutors alleged the behavior described in the case met that standard.
Public Context: Flags, Law, and Tension
The case unfolded against a broader statewide argument about flags on government property. Utah’s flag restrictions were widely reported in spring 2025, and Salt Lake City’s new flag designs received national attention because they were adopted right as the law took effect.
For official background on the mayor’s office and city flag guidance, you can reference the City’s pages for Erin Mendenhall and the Salt Lake City Flag.
