BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY (BYU) ROBERT JACKSON

BYU professor arrested in voyeurism case

Saturday, February 18, 2006

KATIE ASHTON - Daily Herald

A Brigham Young University professor was arrested Thursday on charges he secretly filmed a girl in various states of undress.

Robert Jackson, 63, was arrested on charges of exploitation of a minor and voyeurism after police received a videotape depicting the girl, said Provo police Capt. Rick Healey. The minor was unknowingly filmed by Jackson, who appears to have acted alone, Healey said. The tape was found and turned in to the state Division of Child and Family Services, prompting Thursday's investigation, he said.

Jackson resigned from BYU on Friday after teaching at the school since 1988, said Carri Jenkins, BYU spokeswoman. Jackson was an assistant professor in the information systems department of the Marriott School of Management.

"This situation is a great concern to the university," Jenkins said, adding all employees and students are expected to uphold BYU's honor code.

Police aren't saying who found the tape, or how. They're also not giving out any information about where the girl was filmed.

"We're really going to keep all the pieces of the puzzle private for the sake of the victim," Healey said.

The victim has been identified and she and her family have been notified of the incident, Healey said. So far, there has only been one videotape found, but police are investigating whether there are additional incidents. Healey said he didn't know what type of camera was used to film the girl.

Jackson, who has been cooperative with police, was booked into jail Thursday but was released on bail, set at $7,500, Friday afternoon. Police are unaware of any problems with Jackson prior to this incident, Healey said.

Exploitation of a minor is a second-degree felony, which can result in prison time, he said, and voyeurism is a class A misdemeanor.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.

 

Ex-BYU professor enters guilty plea in sex case

April 17, 2006

PROVO (AP) -- A former Brigham Young University instructor, under threat of federal indictment in a voyeurism case, has pleaded guilty to second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor.

Robert Jackson, 63, who resigned as an assistant professor of information systems after his arrest, entered the plea Tuesday afternoon in 4th District Court. Sentencing was set for May 23. Second-degree felonies carry a maximum sentence of one to 15 years in prison.

He was arrested in February on allegations of filming a 14-year- old girl dressing. The girl did not know she was being filmed. Jackson's adult daughter found a video file on Jackson's BYU laptop, according to the probable cause statement.

Jackson's attorney, John Allan, said his client could have faced a minimum 10-year sentence if convicted on federal charges.

Jackson had the choice to take the offer from the Utah County attorney or take his chances with a federal indictment, he said.

Deputy County Attorney David Sturgill said he will recommend Jackson serve two years in jail.

He said Jackson had no criminal history and the victim's family was "very understanding and compassionate" and requested leniency.

Johnson taught at BYU for more than 10 years.

 

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