A man from Utah has confessed to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl prior to her being fatally shot by individuals who mistakenly believed she was stalking them. The girl, identified by her family as Kaylee Dutton, was killed on January 17, as reported by ABC 4, Cedar City News, and KUTV. She was shot shortly after passing through the townhome community where her abuser, Justin Driffil, resided in Cedar City, according to ABC 4 and Cedar City News.
Driffil, aged 27, has not faced charges related to Dutton’s death. On Wednesday, July 23, he entered a guilty plea for unlawful sexual conduct involving a 16-17-year-old, as reported by ABC 4 and Cedar City News. Dutton’s family believes that she would not have been killed had she not been subjected to sexual abuse by him.
“If it weren’t for that, I just, we all just truly believe that she wouldn’t have been in that neighborhood that night, and she would still be here,” her mother, Kimberlee Dutton, stated to ABC 4.
The inquiry into Driffil commenced in October 2024 when Dutton, then 17, informed her mother that Driffil was engaging in sexual activities with her, according to Cedar City News. Kimberlee reported to the authorities that Kaylee confided in her about a relationship with Driffil after she was dismissed from her job where she worked under him.
The investigation uncovered that Driffil and Kaylee were communicating via Snapchat, and Driffil acknowledged to the police that he was aware of her age during their sexual interactions, as per the outlet.
The individuals charged in relation to Kaylee’s murder resided in the same apartment complex, as reported by Cedar City News, citing court documents.
Michael Hess-Witucki and Ethan Galloway pleaded guilty to murder charges in April, as reported by ABC 4, KSL, and Iron County Today at that time.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, please text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a certified crisis counselor.
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