By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
A man convicted in an online sting operation targeting child sexual predators was sentenced earlier this month to prison in Iron County, with the court ordering his sentence to run consecutive to time he is already serving in another case.
Andrew Thomas Robinson was recently sentenced by Judge Matthew L. Bell to one to 15 years in the Utah State Prison for enticing a minor, a second-degree felony. In addition, he was sentenced up to five years for distributing harmful material to a minor, a third-degree felony.
The court ordered the two sentences to run at the same time but to begin only after Robinson completes the prison sentence he is already serving in another case.
The case stems from a March 2025 investigation conducted by the Cedar City Police Department as part of an online operation aimed at identifying individuals seeking sexual contact with minors.
According to charging documents, Robinson believed he was communicating online with a 13-year-old girl, who was in fact an undercover officer using an internet persona.
Court records state the communication escalated and included discussions about meeting in person, prompting investigators to intervene. The online contact ended before any meeting occurred.
Robinson was arrested the following day on similar charges in a separate jurisdiction and was later convicted in that case. Prosecutors cited the prior conviction during sentencing and argued it demonstrated a pattern of behavior.
At sentencing, prosecutors asked the court to impose a prison sentence, arguing Robinson posed a continued risk to the community and was not a suitable candidate for probation.
Defense counsel urged the court to consider Robinson’s rehabilitative needs and noted the absence of an actual victim in the Iron County case due to the undercover nature of the investigation.
In its sentencing order, the court recommended Robinson be afforded any available treatment programs while incarcerated.