West Valley City man attempted to meet with 14-year-old girl who was undercover officer, charges say

SOUTH OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — A man living in West Valley City has been arrested and charged after trying to meet with and sexually abuse a 14-year-old who was actually an undercover officer.

Joel Huarayo-Fabian, 27, has been charged with attempted rape, a first-degree felony; attempted forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony; and three counts of enticing a minor with second-degree felony activity, upgrading the charge from a third-degree felony.

According to court documents, on July 16, 2025, a South Ogden Police Department officer created a fake social media account portraying a 14-year-old girl. That day, Huarayo-Fabian allegedly initiated conversation with who he believed to be a 14-year-old.

During the conversation, Huarayo-Fabian “expressed interest in sexual acts” and a “desire to meet with the suspected 14-year-old female,” documents say. He allegedly sent “cartoon images” that were sexual in nature as well.

On Aug. 1, Huarayo-Fabian arranged to meet up with the undercover officer at a park in South Ogden later in the week, on Aug. 5. The meeting got pushed back due to Huarayo-Fabian’s work commitments and was rescheduled for Aug. 6, according to police.

On Aug. 6, the South Ogden Police Department located Huarayo-Fabian at the meeting location in the park. They took him into custody, and he agreed to speak with investigators about what happened.

During the police interview, Huarayo-Fabian allegedly stated that he was aware he was speaking with who he believed to be a 14-year-old and that the conversations he was having were inappropriate. Although he admitted to that, he denied driving from West Valley City to South Ogden to engage in sexual relations with a minor.

Huarayo-Fabian was booked into the Weber County Jail, where he is currently being held without bail.