A tennis professional living and working in Deer Valley has been charged with 10 second-degree felony charges for possessing hundreds of photos of nude children on his phone.
Park City Police arrested 59-year-old Bogdan Badiu on July 23 after they discovered dozens of images of a child later determined to be a relative. He was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and is being held in the Summit County Jail without bail.
Badiu told authorities he did not know the images were considered child pornography, according to charging documents.
Police seized the phone in late June while investigating Badiu in a separate case. Evidence technicians with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office reviewed the device and saw the photos. Several of the images were cropped.
A new case was opened earlier this month.
Police obtained a warrant to examine Badiu’s car and home for digital evidence. Local law enforcement also coordinated the search with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.
Badiu went to retrieve his cell phone from the Park City Police Department last week when he was escorted to an interview room. Badiu agreed to speak with investigators.
He admitted to taking multiple photos of the child with his phone and police said Badiu claimed the photos were not malicious. Some of the photos were also sent by or to other family members. Badiu also told police his mom explained he shouldn’t have the photos on his phone, the report said.
The ICAC Task Force also determined there were similar images on the man’s computers. Badiu said one computer contained all of the images, while another computer had many other backups because he didn’t want to lose his family photos.
Badiu worked as a “long-time” tennis coach at the Solamere Oaks Swim and Tennis Club, according to the Homeowners Association website.
A second-degree felony carries a possible punishment of one to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.