American Fork man charged with lewdness, bestiality

PROVO -- An American Fork man has been charged with multiple counts of lewdness and bestiality after allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a neighbor's dog.

Melvin Pace, 65, was charged Friday with five counts of lewdness with a prior offense, a third-degree felony, and five counts of bestiality and seven counts of criminal trespassing, all class B misdemeanors.

Pace was arrested July 10 after police received a call about trespassing and lewdness at a residence in American Fork. Police reported that following an investigation, they found Pace had gone onto a residential property on at least seven separate occasions between May 20 and June 28.

According to a police report, while Pace was on the property, a trail camera showed Pace engaged in sexual acts with a male Kangal dog on at least five separate occasions.

American Fork Police Department Lt. Sam Liddiard said this was not the first time Pace had engaged in sexual acts with the same dog. Court records indicate Pace was charged with two counts each of criminal trespassing, lewdness and bestiality in December 2013. He took a plea deal in that case in February and was on probation when the new incidents allegedly occurred.

Pace is being held in the Utah County Jail on $7,500 cash or bond. He is scheduled to be court again July 29. HeraldExtra