A Pocatello man preyed on several young teen girls for years and wanted to marry at least one of them, court documents allege.
In April, a woman spoke with the Pocatello Police Department and said that now-41-year-old Trenton Powell had engaged in a sexual relationship with her. The victim said the alleged sex abuse began years ago when she was 13 years old and stopped when she turned 18. A months-long investigation by both local and federal investigators into Powell followed.
In a police report, investigators write how the first victim described how Powell engaged in a sexual relationship with her for several months. She said the relationship continued for about three years.
For about a year, the victim did not visit with Powell because of restrictions by her probation officer. However, when the victim turned 17, she says that Powell offered to allow her to move in with him at his other home in the Salt Lake City area. The probation officer allowed her to move in with Powell, and the victim says the illegal relationship continued for the next year.
She moved out when she turned 18.
She described seeing a “made-up” marriage certificate between Powell and another teenager inside a closet that contained several sex toys. This victim also told police she feared there might be additional victims.
During the investigation, detectives found other victims. Due to the number of victims and the fact that their names are redacted, it is difficult to differentiate between them in court documents.
One victim said she was 11 or 12 years old the first time Powell sexually assaulted her, and he continued to do so until she was 17 years old. Powell is alleged to have said he wanted to marry her when she turned 18 and had her sign a fake marriage license.
At least one of the victims claimed when she was a teen, Powell raped her after getting her drunk. Another victim also described a group sex situation with Powell and other victims.
As police kept investigating this summer, one of the victims engaged in a text conversation with Powell to get him to admit to sexual relations with underage girls. This victim pointed out that Powell is currently dating a woman 20 years younger than him but is an adult.
“What I am doing is not dangerous, it’s legal,” a text from Powell included in court documents reads. “That other s*** is in the past and your bringing it back to light is the dangerous part! I never did anything to hurt anyone … the punishment needs to fit the crime!”
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