Wasatch County GOP Chair arrested on allegations of child abuse involving water torture

SALT LAKE CITY — The Chair of the Republican Party in Wasatch County is behind bars, following disturbing allegations of child abuse involving water-based torture.

According to Heber City police investigators, David Johnson allegedly used water to abuse several relatives who are juveniles.

Heber City Police Chief Parker Sever said one of the victims used the term “waterboarding,” but the actual abuse was different — and even more concerning.

Waterboarding typically involves covering a person’s face with a cloth and pouring water over it.

“In this case, it appears that they were filling the sink with water, holding the head underwater and then pulling the head out of the water,” said Chief Sever.  The chief said the child’s head would be held underwater for about 20 to 30 seconds.

Police say more than one juvenile victim was involved and that the abuse included physical assault.

Johnson was arrested around 5 p.m. Tuesday after turning himself in at the Heber City Police Station.

Chief Sever emphasized that Johnson’s political position had no bearing on the investigation, saying officers strive to treat every individual the same, regardless of status or title.

“That’s one thing we strive to do is to make sure that we’re treating everybody the same, whether, you have a position or whether you don’t have a position,” said Chief Sever.

KSL spoke with the vice chair of the Republican Party for Wasatch County, Patty Sprunt, who said she’d only observed a healthy relationship between Johnson and his family.