Legislator Faces Sex Charges

Longtime state legislator Rex Furness of Rigby on Wednesday appeared in court on a charge of sexual battery of a minor child.

The state attorney general’s office had conducted an investigation. Official sources said it centered around a complaint of misconduct involving Furness and a teenage adopted granddaughter.

Republican Furness was arrested Wednesday on a charge of sexual battery, and released on $20,000 bond. No preliminary hearing was scheduled.

Court documents say that between July 4, 1995, and April 17, 1996, Furness, 72, touched the breasts of a teenage girl both inside and outside her clothes.

News of the investigation came as a surprise to Furness’ colleagues in the Legislature, where Furness is completing his fourth two-year term.