Wasatch County sheriff's case
The indictment of Sheriff Jared Rigby, the county's response and the court proceedings.
Latest update · October 21, 2026
Wasatch County sheriff asks to disqualify judge in his obstruction case
Sheriff Jared Rigby's motion argues Judge Richard Mrazik could be a witness because he presided over the Kouri Richins trial.
Where things stand
What is known
- Sheriff Jared Rigby has pleaded not guilty, lost access to a statewide law enforcement database and gone on voluntary paid leave after refusing to resign (The Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 21 and 22).
- His motion asks to disqualify Judge Richard Mrazik, arguing the judge could be a witness because he presided over the Kouri Richins trial (KUTV, Oct. 22).
Still open
- How the court rules on the motion to disqualify the judge.
The story so far
The Wasatch County Council's Oct. 21 agenda listed a resolution calling for the resignation of Sheriff Jared Rigby. The county's election page says Rigby was eliminated in the June 23 primary and lists Jeremy M. Hales and Paul Moore, an unaffiliated candidate, for sheriff on the Nov. 3 ballot. The records read for this panel do not include the indictment or court filings.
Background and milestones
The council's notice for its regular meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in the council chambers in Heber City lists "Discussion and consideration of Resolution 26-13 calling for the resignation of Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby." The notice was posted Oct. 19.
In September 2025 the county released a report by retired Judge Richard McKelvie, whom it engaged as a third-party reviewer of allegations within the Sheriff's Office. The report says it makes no specific findings of fact or credibility determinations. The county's preface says the report has no findings of gross mismanagement or illegal activities and lists eight recommendations, mostly about hiring, promotions, the merit commission and shift assignments.
The county election page lists Rigby as "eliminated in primary." The state canvass summary describes the primary as held June 23, 2026. Election Day was Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Milestones
September 2025 — County releases inquiry report on Sheriff's Office
The report is dated September 2025. It addresses hiring, promotion, discipline and operations. The version read does not mention the criminal case.June 23, 2026 — Rigby eliminated in sheriff primary
The county's list of candidates marks Rigby as eliminated in the primary. The state canvass gives June 23 as the primary date.October 19, 2026 — Council posts agenda with Resolution 26-13
The agenda was posted two days before the Oct. 21 meeting. The records read do not show what the council did with the resolution.November 3, 2026 — General election for sheriff
The county page lists Hales and Moore as the sheriff candidates and gives Nov. 3 as Election Day.
What to watch
Check whether the council posts minutes of its Oct. 21 meeting. The state public-notice listing for the council showed the Oct. 21 notice with draft minutes of the Sept. 16 meeting attached and no minutes of Oct. 21 when checked.
Unanswered questions and limits
- What did the council do with Resolution 26-13 on Oct. 21?
- What do the court filings show about the charges, and what will the judge decide at the hearing reported for Nov. 4?
- How will the county handle the sheriff's duties through the end of his term?
- No indictment, court filing or prosecutor release was found on an official site. The charges, the leave and the disqualification motion described in the Ledger's stories rest on news reports. Charges are allegations.
- The 2025 inquiry is a separate county review. The version read does not mention the Richins case.
- The county page does not give a party for the primary or Hales's job, and no source read gives the end date of Rigby's term.
Sources and dates
Timeline, newest first
Latest updates
- Crime & safety
Wasatch County sheriff asks to disqualify judge in his obstruction case
Sheriff Jared Rigby's motion argues Judge Richard Mrazik could be a witness because he presided over the Kouri Richins trial.
- Politics
Wasatch County sheriff takes paid leave after refusing to resign
Sheriff Jared Rigby told county officials he is going on voluntary paid leave and will address the felony charge in court.
- Politics
Wasatch County Council to vote on resolution urging indicted sheriff to resign
Sheriff Jared Rigby, who has pleaded not guilty, has lost access to a statewide law enforcement database.