Salt Lake City, Utah — The Utah Judicial Conduct Commission has dismissed several complaints against 7th District Judge Don Torgerson, issuing only a warning after determining his comments during a sentencing hearing showed “troubling but relatively minor misconduct.”
The decision, made on Aug. 5, follows months of scrutiny over remarks Judge Torgerson made in May 2025 while sentencing a man convicted of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The case, first brought to light by KSL-TV, sparked outrage among lawmakers and child protection advocates who accused the judge of displaying bias and minimizing the seriousness of the crimes.
The Controversial Hearing
The controversy stems from Torgerson’s handling of the sentencing of Aidan Hoffman, 22, who pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child sexual exploitation. Prosecutors had pushed for prison time, while the defense requested probation.
During the hearing, Torgerson noted that Hoffman had already served nearly four months in jail and referenced his social background, saying, “112 days is a lot of jail time for someone your age who comes from some level of privilege.”
He ultimately sentenced Hoffman to four years of probation and ordered him to register as a sex offender, declining to impose additional jail time or fines.
Torgerson also commented that he had “seen worse” material in other cases, but added that his remark was not meant to “minimize” Hoffman’s crimes.
Commission Findings
In its case summary, the Judicial Conduct Commission said Torgerson’s statements “undermined the confidence and impartiality of the judiciary, giving an appearance of impropriety.”
However, the panel determined that the misconduct did not merit a public sanction. “The judge accepted responsibility and was apologetic,” the report stated. “The behavior was troubling but relatively minor.”
As a result, the complaints were formally “dismissed with a warning.”
Lawmakers Condemn the Decision
The decision prompted immediate backlash from Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, who previously urged Torgerson to resign.
“I am disappointed by reports that the Judicial Conduct Commission failed to take any meaningful action regarding Judge Torgerson,” Schultz said in a statement. “Minimizing child rape is unacceptable — full stop.”
He added, “Our judges play a vital role in preserving fairness and justice, and we must hold them to the highest standards.”
House Minority Leader Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, also called for the judge’s resignation, joining Grand County Attorney Stephen Stocks, who said a defendant’s “affluent status or privilege” should have no bearing on sentencing outcomes.
Torgerson Remains on the Bench
Despite the criticism, Judge Torgerson remains on the bench and declined to comment through a Utah State Courts spokesperson.
The Utah State Courts previously defended the judge’s decision, asserting that Hoffman’s plea agreement included provisions for probation. However, documents later showed that prosecutors retained the right to argue for a prison sentence — which they did.
Torgerson, appointed to the bench in 2018 by former Governor Gary Herbert, previously worked in private legal practice before joining the judiciary.
While the commission’s warning closes the formal investigation, it leaves open questions about judicial accountability and public trust in Utah’s court system.
