Former Utah officer hailed as hero in 2007 mall shooting gets jail time on sex charge

Former Utah officer hailed as hero gets jail time

OGDEN, Utah — A former Utah police officer lauded for helping end a mall shooting rampage has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for engaging in a sex act with a teenager.

Ken Hammond was sentenced Tuesday, The Salt Lake Tribune reported on its Web site.

The former Ogden officer pleaded no contest last month to a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.

Prosecutors say the sex act occurred while Hammond was on duty in 2005.

Hammond’s attorney has said his client disputes the prosecution’s case, but wants to avoid a possible conviction.

In 2007, Hammond was dining at Salt Lake City’s Trolley Square mall when a teen began a shooting rampage that killed five. He engaged the man in a gun fight and was credited with preventing more deaths.

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, www.sltrib.com