The gavel has finally fallen on a massive betrayal of trust in Box Elder County. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, former 1st District Court Judge Kevin Robert Christensen appeared in shackles and a prison jumpsuit to plead guilty to multiple felony child sex crimes.
The 65 year old man, who spent years deciding the fate of others from the bench, now faces his own reckoning after an undercover sting blew the lid off his double life.
This was not a solo act of depravity. Investigations revealed that Christensen was deeply entangled with Ned Brady Hansen, the former fire chief of Tremonton City.
The two high ranking officials allegedly shared a sexual relationship and exchanged graphic, stomach turning communications about abusing children.
In a shocking twist, investigators found that Christensen had previously presided over a hearing for Hansen, allowing the fire chief to be released on bail without disclosing their secret, illicit connection.
The case broke wide open when federal task forces tracked Christensen to the Kik messaging app.
Under the digital mask of an anonymous user, the judge engaged in explicit sexual chats with what he believed was a 13 year old girl.
He didn't just stop at words; he sent graphic videos of himself and actively sought child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from others.
As part of a plea deal, Christensen pleaded guilty to one count of enticing a minor and two counts of dealing in materials harmful to a minor.
While five other charges were dropped, the Utah Attorney General’s Office is playing hardball, demanding significant prison time.
Christensen resigned in disgrace in March 2025, but for the families of his victims, the fight for justice is far from over.