Topline: Court documents allege he forced the teen’s head under water as punishment for not cleaning her room to his expectations.
Published: February 15, 2026 8:00 am ET
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David Nephi Johnson (via Facebook)
HEBER CITY, UT — The chairman of the Wasatch County Republican Party has been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after authorities say he “waterboarded” his teenage daughter inside their home.
David Nephi Johnson, 54, was booked into the Wasatch County Jail on Tuesday and formally charged Wednesday in 4th District Court with intentional or knowing aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony, according to court records and police.
Johnson serves as chair of the Wasatch County Republican Party, ABC4 reported.
The investigation began Jan. 21 after the Utah Division of Child and Family Services contacted the Heber City Police Department, reporting that a teenage girl “did not feel safe in her home and expressed fear for her life,” according to a police booking affidavit cited by KSL.
According to the affidavit, the teen told investigators her father punished her for not cleaning her room to his expectations before going out with friends. “David was upset with the victim because she didn’t completely clean her room, and she went out without having it be spotless to his expectations,” the affidavit states, as reported by The Park Record.
When she returned home, Johnson allegedly grabbed her by the back of the neck and took her into a bathroom while the sink was filling with water. “She disclosed that David dunked her head under, brought it out, splashed water in her face, then dunked the victim’s head under again. The victim did not know how long the incident lasted from beginning to end,” the court document states, according to The Park Record. The teen told investigators she could not breathe for 20 to 30 seconds.
ABC4 reported that detectives also observed “visible bruising,” reportedly from the teen being backhanded on the torso. The girl told police she had been hit more than once and said Johnson “made fun of me for crying.” She also told officers, “When he’s home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.”
The affidavit further alleges the teen described incidents involving her siblings, including a younger brother who was allegedly forced under water in a similar manner years earlier. “The victim stated that David removed her brother from the water, splashed water on his face and nose, knocked him down and repeated the act multiple times,” the affidavit reads.
While the teen was being interviewed, Johnson was allegedly seen on an exterior surveillance camera yelling, “We have rights,” before getting into his vehicle and slamming the door while two children were inside, according to ABC4.
Heber City Police Chief Parker Sever said a warrant was filed Tuesday and Johnson was detained following an arranged meeting with police and his defense attorney, Sam Schultz, according to The Park Record. Schultz said Johnson is “maintaining his innocence.”
Johnson made an initial court appearance Wednesday morning. Bail was set at $10,000, The Park Record reported, though ABC4 said he was being held without bail due to concerns of witness coaching and to ensure child safety. A pretrial protective order has been proposed by Fourth District Court Judge Jennifer Mabey.
The teen has been temporarily placed with an adult sibling under a safety plan developed by DCFS and her parents. The other children in the home have a safety plan in place that “no physical discipline” may be used, according to ABC4. Chief Sever said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and police are continuing to work with DCFS.
“The Heber City Police Department remains committed to protecting children and holding offenders accountable,” the department said, as reported by KSL and ABC4. Authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the department.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the Wasatch County Republican Party Executive Committee said it met in an “emergency session” after learning of the allegations. In accordance with its bylaws, Vice Chair Patty Sprunt will temporarily assume leadership “to ensure the party continues its work for the residents of the county without distraction,” the statement said.
“The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations brought forward by the Heber City Police Department,” the executive committee’s statement said. “The Republican Party stands for the protection of the vulnerable and the upholding of the law. We trust the Heber City Police Department and the legal system to conduct a thorough investigation. Our legal system is defined by the protection of the innocent and the principle that individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Thus far the public has not seen any evidence in this case. We encourage the community to refrain from judgement [sic] until the facts and evidence have been presented.”
Sprunt told The Park Record there would be no call for Johnson’s resignation and encouraged the public to wait for more information.
The Utah Democratic Party also issued a statement calling for accountability if the allegations are proven. “No matter the party, anyone in a position of public trust should be held to the highest possible standard — when allegations involve harm to a child, there is no room for excuses or partisan deflection. These accusations are horrifying. If even a fraction of these charges is true, it represents a profound betrayal of basic decency and pubic trust,” the party stated. “Let the investigation be thorough and free from political interference. If these charges are proven, there must be real and public consequences – no quiet exits, no sweeping this under the rug.”
Under Utah law, a first-degree felony is punishable by five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Charges are allegations only, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Utah GOP Chair Charged After Alleged Waterboarding of Teen Daughter
Court documents allege he forced the teen’s head under water as punishment for not cleaning her room to his expectations.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 15, 2026 8:00 am ET
David Nephi Johnson (via Facebook)
HEBER CITY, UT — The chairman of the Wasatch County Republican Party has been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after authorities say he “waterboarded” his teenage daughter inside their home.
David Nephi Johnson, 54, was booked into the Wasatch County Jail on Tuesday and formally charged Wednesday in 4th District Court with intentional or knowing aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony, according to court records and police.
Johnson serves as chair of the Wasatch County Republican Party, ABC4 reported.
The investigation began Jan. 21 after the Utah Division of Child and Family Services contacted the Heber City Police Department, reporting that a teenage girl “did not feel safe in her home and expressed fear for her life,” according to a police booking affidavit cited by KSL.
According to the affidavit, the teen told investigators her father punished her for not cleaning her room to his expectations before going out with friends. “David was upset with the victim because she didn’t completely clean her room, and she went out without having it be spotless to his expectations,” the affidavit states, as reported by The Park Record.
When she returned home, Johnson allegedly grabbed her by the back of the neck and took her into a bathroom while the sink was filling with water. “She disclosed that David dunked her head under, brought it out, splashed water in her face, then dunked the victim’s head under again. The victim did not know how long the incident lasted from beginning to end,” the court document states, according to The Park Record. The teen told investigators she could not breathe for 20 to 30 seconds.
ABC4 reported that detectives also observed “visible bruising,” reportedly from the teen being backhanded on the torso. The girl told police she had been hit more than once and said Johnson “made fun of me for crying.” She also told officers, “When he’s home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.”
The affidavit further alleges the teen described incidents involving her siblings, including a younger brother who was allegedly forced under water in a similar manner years earlier. “The victim stated that David removed her brother from the water, splashed water on his face and nose, knocked him down and repeated the act multiple times,” the affidavit reads.
While the teen was being interviewed, Johnson was allegedly seen on an exterior surveillance camera yelling, “We have rights,” before getting into his vehicle and slamming the door while two children were inside, according to ABC4.
Heber City Police Chief Parker Sever said a warrant was filed Tuesday and Johnson was detained following an arranged meeting with police and his defense attorney, Sam Schultz, according to The Park Record. Schultz said Johnson is “maintaining his innocence.”
Johnson made an initial court appearance Wednesday morning. Bail was set at $10,000, The Park Record reported, though ABC4 said he was being held without bail due to concerns of witness coaching and to ensure child safety. A pretrial protective order has been proposed by Fourth District Court Judge Jennifer Mabey.
The teen has been temporarily placed with an adult sibling under a safety plan developed by DCFS and her parents. The other children in the home have a safety plan in place that “no physical discipline” may be used, according to ABC4. Chief Sever said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and police are continuing to work with DCFS.
“The Heber City Police Department remains committed to protecting children and holding offenders accountable,” the department said, as reported by KSL and ABC4. Authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the department.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the Wasatch County Republican Party Executive Committee said it met in an “emergency session” after learning of the allegations. In accordance with its bylaws, Vice Chair Patty Sprunt will temporarily assume leadership “to ensure the party continues its work for the residents of the county without distraction,” the statement said.
“The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations brought forward by the Heber City Police Department,” the executive committee’s statement said. “The Republican Party stands for the protection of the vulnerable and the upholding of the law. We trust the Heber City Police Department and the legal system to conduct a thorough investigation. Our legal system is defined by the protection of the innocent and the principle that individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Thus far the public has not seen any evidence in this case. We encourage the community to refrain from judgement [sic] until the facts and evidence have been presented.”
Sprunt told The Park Record there would be no call for Johnson’s resignation and encouraged the public to wait for more information.
The Utah Democratic Party also issued a statement calling for accountability if the allegations are proven. “No matter the party, anyone in a position of public trust should be held to the highest possible standard — when allegations involve harm to a child, there is no room for excuses or partisan deflection. These accusations are horrifying. If even a fraction of these charges is true, it represents a profound betrayal of basic decency and pubic trust,” the party stated. “Let the investigation be thorough and free from political interference. If these charges are proven, there must be real and public consequences – no quiet exits, no sweeping this under the rug.”
Under Utah law, a first-degree felony is punishable by five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Charges are allegations only, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Utah GOP Chair Charged After Alleged Waterboarding of Teen Daughter
Court documents allege he forced the teen’s head under water as punishment for not cleaning her room to his expectations.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 15, 2026 8:00 am ET
David Nephi Johnson (via Facebook)
HEBER CITY, UT — The chairman of the Wasatch County Republican Party has been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse after authorities say he “waterboarded” his teenage daughter inside their home.
David Nephi Johnson, 54, was booked into the Wasatch County Jail on Tuesday and formally charged Wednesday in 4th District Court with intentional or knowing aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony, according to court records and police.
Johnson serves as chair of the Wasatch County Republican Party, ABC4 reported.
The investigation began Jan. 21 after the Utah Division of Child and Family Services contacted the Heber City Police Department, reporting that a teenage girl “did not feel safe in her home and expressed fear for her life,” according to a police booking affidavit cited by KSL.
According to the affidavit, the teen told investigators her father punished her for not cleaning her room to his expectations before going out with friends. “David was upset with the victim because she didn’t completely clean her room, and she went out without having it be spotless to his expectations,” the affidavit states, as reported by The Park Record.
When she returned home, Johnson allegedly grabbed her by the back of the neck and took her into a bathroom while the sink was filling with water. “She disclosed that David dunked her head under, brought it out, splashed water in her face, then dunked the victim’s head under again. The victim did not know how long the incident lasted from beginning to end,” the court document states, according to The Park Record. The teen told investigators she could not breathe for 20 to 30 seconds.
ABC4 reported that detectives also observed “visible bruising,” reportedly from the teen being backhanded on the torso. The girl told police she had been hit more than once and said Johnson “made fun of me for crying.” She also told officers, “When he’s home, I never feel safe because I feel like something is going to happen.”
The affidavit further alleges the teen described incidents involving her siblings, including a younger brother who was allegedly forced under water in a similar manner years earlier. “The victim stated that David removed her brother from the water, splashed water on his face and nose, knocked him down and repeated the act multiple times,” the affidavit reads.
While the teen was being interviewed, Johnson was allegedly seen on an exterior surveillance camera yelling, “We have rights,” before getting into his vehicle and slamming the door while two children were inside, according to ABC4.
Heber City Police Chief Parker Sever said a warrant was filed Tuesday and Johnson was detained following an arranged meeting with police and his defense attorney, Sam Schultz, according to The Park Record. Schultz said Johnson is “maintaining his innocence.”
Johnson made an initial court appearance Wednesday morning. Bail was set at $10,000, The Park Record reported, though ABC4 said he was being held without bail due to concerns of witness coaching and to ensure child safety. A pretrial protective order has been proposed by Fourth District Court Judge Jennifer Mabey.
The teen has been temporarily placed with an adult sibling under a safety plan developed by DCFS and her parents. The other children in the home have a safety plan in place that “no physical discipline” may be used, according to ABC4. Chief Sever said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and police are continuing to work with DCFS.
“The Heber City Police Department remains committed to protecting children and holding offenders accountable,” the department said, as reported by KSL and ABC4. Authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information to contact the department.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the Wasatch County Republican Party Executive Committee said it met in an “emergency session” after learning of the allegations. In accordance with its bylaws, Vice Chair Patty Sprunt will temporarily assume leadership “to ensure the party continues its work for the residents of the county without distraction,” the statement said.
“The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations brought forward by the Heber City Police Department,” the executive committee’s statement said. “The Republican Party stands for the protection of the vulnerable and the upholding of the law. We trust the Heber City Police Department and the legal system to conduct a thorough investigation. Our legal system is defined by the protection of the innocent and the principle that individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Thus far the public has not seen any evidence in this case. We encourage the community to refrain from judgement [sic] until the facts and evidence have been presented.”
Sprunt told The Park Record there would be no call for Johnson’s resignation and encouraged the public to wait for more information.
The Utah Democratic Party also issued a statement calling for accountability if the allegations are proven. “No matter the party, anyone in a position of public trust should be held to the highest possible standard — when allegations involve harm to a child, there is no room for excuses or partisan deflection. These accusations are horrifying. If even a fraction of these charges is true, it represents a profound betrayal of basic decency and pubic trust,” the party stated. “Let the investigation be thorough and free from political interference. If these charges are proven, there must be real and public consequences – no quiet exits, no sweeping this under the rug.”
Under Utah law, a first-degree felony is punishable by five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Charges are allegations only, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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