Magna man found guilty of child rape after survivor comes forward years later

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A Magna man has been found guilty of child rape after the survivor came forward eight years after the abuse, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

Trinidad Irineo Hernandez, 41, was found guilty in Salt Lake County on Thursday of aggravated sexual abuse of a child (first-degree felony) and rape of a child (first-degree felony).

The statement from the victim, now 20 years old, revealed that from around Dec. 24, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2015, she was sexually assaulted by Hernandez. She was roughly 12 years old when the abuse occurred.

The victim told police that on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, her parents were throwing a party and had gone to the store to buy some items, leaving her alone at the home with Hernandez. She had reportedly been sitting, watching television and brushing her hair when Hernandez sat next to her.

Hernandez told the victim he would help her brush her hair, telling her to sit on his lap, before he sexually abused her. In another instance, the victim was sitting on the edge of a couch at home when Hernandez proceeded to rape her. He also told her she could not tell anyone, according to the indictment.

This week, the survivor took the stand and faced her abuser so he could be held accountable. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill released the following statement after the guilty verdict.

A young survivor summoned the strength to tell her story against the weight of the abuse she had suffered. We are proud of her courage, and in her resilience, we can also find the strength to support and listen to others.

To all those survivors that may be suffering in silence, we ask that you trust in the integrity and fairness of the criminal justice process. When you come forward we will be ready to fight for you.

Hernandez is being held in Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned charges. His sentencing is set for Nov. 6, 2025.