By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
Days after KSL published an article covering the sentencing of Aidan Hoffman – who was given no prison time for his conviction on two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor by 7th District Court Judge Don Torgerson – the Utah State Courts issued a statement rebuking the article, saying it, “omitted several relevant and important facts.”
“In a recent article regarding a sentence imposed by Judge Don Torgerson in a criminal case, KSL omitted several relevant and important facts,” reads a statement from the Judiciary. “For instance, the State expressly agreed in its written plea agreement that the Defendant would receive probation, rather than a prison sentence. Additionally, the sentence imposed by Judge Torgerson was squarely aligned with the 2025 Adult Sentencing, Release, & Supervision Guidelines promulgated by the Utah Sentencing Commission and unanimously approved by the Utah Legislature during the 2025 General Session.”
In addition to his convictions in Utah, Hoffman has an upcoming court date in Maine, where he faces three charges of possession of sexually explicit material relating to a child under age 12; a class C felony.
“Adult Probation and Parole’s probation recommendation was also aligned with the Adult Sentencing, Release, & Supervision Guidelines. The limited quotes provided by KSL are without context and should not be the sole basis for any conclusion,” says the courts.
In addition to this statement, the court system has released Hoffman’s full thirty-minute sentencing hearing. The recording can be viewed here.
The Judiciary closes its statement by saying,” The Judiciary is committed to transparency and encourages anyone who has questions about the sentence to listen to the entire audio recording of the sentencing hearing.”
Following the initial reports by KSL, House Speaker Mike Schultz called for Torgerson’s resignation in a post to X: ” This is deeply troubling and indicative of a broader pattern within the Judiciary. Such decisions not only fail to deliver justice for victims – in this case, children – but also erode public confidence in the legal system.”
This is deeply troubling and indicative of a broader pattern within the judiciary. Such decisions not only fail to deliver justice for victims— in this case, children — but also erode public confidence in the legal system.
Judge Torgerson’s comments and decision are a failure… pic.twitter.com/yFhl0EN2hp
— Mike Schultz (@mschultz_12) May 24, 2025
The report also led to condemnation from House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, who referred to Torgerson’s comments during sentencing as “terrible.”
“Judge Torgerson viewed two of the videos Hoffman possessed showing children being raped and abused.”
“The judge told those at the hearing that he’s “seen worse” during his time as a defense attorney.”
The Utah case documents say that Hoffman intentionally distributed over 10… https://t.co/Gh8CMfNi17
— Kari Lisonbee (@KariLisonbee) May 23, 2025
Torgerson was appointed to the 7th District Court in 2018 by then Gov. Gary Herbert.