By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Thomas Arthur Green, age 51, will appear in Fourth
District Court on May 2, on a criminal summons after David
O. Leavitt, Juab County Attorney, filed charges in lieu of
having Green arrested.
Leavitt filed one count of first degree felony rape of
a child, four third degree felony counts of bigamy and one
count of criminal non support, a third degree felony,
against Green on Apr. 17, 2000, in Fourth Judicial Court in
Nephi.
Green is a resident of Juab County's West Desert.
"I became aware of Green after he appeared on national
television," said Leavitt. "Enough evidence was presented of
Mr. Green's violation of the law that an investigation was
conducted."
On the television program, Green discussed having more
than one wife. In the list of charges Green will face, he is
accused of cohabiting with his plural wives from May 1,
1999, through Dec. 31, 1999, and of doing so in Juab
County.
The alleged rape of a child, occurred 14 years ago
when, according to the accusation made by Leavitt, Green had
sexual intercourse with a child who was under the age of 14
years. The alleged rape took place on or around January
1986, said Leavitt.
"There is a statute of limitations," he said. However,
law enforcement has four years to act after the incident is
reported. "To our best knowledge, we are on firm legal
ground."
Knowing that he already had a wife, Green is further
accused of cohabiting with Shirley Beagley Green, LeeAnn
Beagley Green, Cari Bjorkman Green, and Hannah Bjorkman
Green.
Leavitt said that Green, about Dec. 15, 1999,
knowingly failed to provide for the support of the spouse,
child or children under 18 years of age when any one of them
would be in needy circumstances. In addition, at the time,
the defendant had back child support arrears in excess of
$10,000.
Whenever the money owed for child support exceeds
$10,000, the nonsupport becomes a felony, Leavitt said.
"It is estimated that Green owes the State of Utah
$65,000," he said. "His wives applied for welfare benefits
and were paid those benefits."
"Venue is appropriate in Juab County," said
Leavitt.
Attorney for Green is John Buhuer.
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