FBI task force arrests Summit County man on child sexual exploitation charges

Photo: FBI

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A Summit County man was arrested Thursday by members of a federal task force on 10 felony charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors, with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office confirming it assisted the FBI in executing the arrest warrant.

William Fredrick Barry, 45, of Summit County, was taken into custody on Feb. 26, 2026 in the Pinebrook neighborhood and ordered held without bail by District Court Judge Richard Mrazik later that evening.

Skyler Talbot, public information officer for the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed to TownLift that the SCSO assisted the FBI and the Internet Crimes Against Children task force in serving an arrest warrant at a Summit County residence. Talbot emphasized that this is not a Summit County Sheriff’s Office investigation and that deputies were asked only to assist in executing the warrant.

The charges

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in 3rd District Court in Summit County, Barry faces the following charges:

One count of Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a first-degree felony under Utah Code 76-5B-201.1; one count of Enticing a Minor for a First Degree Felony Sexual Activity, a second-degree felony under Utah Code 76-5-417; and eight counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, each a second-degree felony under Utah Code 76-5B-201.

The investigation

The affidavit states that from Jan. 8, 2026 to Feb. 6, 2026, members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated an online account suspected of distributing child sexual abuse material, or CSAM. Investigators also determined that the account was used to communicate about the sexual abuse of a purported 9-year-old child.

Through legal process served to various online platforms, investigators linked the suspect account to Barry. Mobile surveillance was subsequently conducted at his Summit County residence, where Barry was observed arriving and entering the property.

On Feb. 26, 2026, members of a federal task force executed a search warrant at Barry’s residence. The affidavit states that digital items of evidentiary value were seized and previewed on scene by FBI forensic examiners. During that preview, a hard drive belonging to Barry was found to contain 29 videos of CSAM depicting the sexual abuse of young boys. Investigators also confirmed on scene that a phone number associated with Barry was connected to the suspect online account.

Held without bail

Judge Richard Mrazik signed an order holding Barry without bail on Feb. 26, 2026 at 9:41 p.m., citing substantial evidence to support the charges and finding by clear and convincing evidence that Barry would constitute a substantial danger to any other individual or to the community, or was likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court if released.

The charges against Barry are based on an affidavit of probable cause and have not been proven in court. Barry is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Court documents referenced in this report are on file with the 3rd District Court in Summit County, State of Utah.