Salt Lake Tribune

A high-ranking Unified Fire Authority official arrested Wednesday on suspicion of enticing a minor over the Internet is expected to be charged today. Dennis Steadman, 54, a UFA battalion chief, was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for about a month preceding his arrest, said Chris Ahearn, a section chief for the Utah Attorney General's Office. The task force was tipped off to Steadman's activities when police received complaints from several people, Ahearn said. Steadman is on administrative leave while the UFA conducts its internal investigation, said UFA spokesman Michael Jensen. As part of that investigation, the agency is trying to determine if Steadman used UFA computers to conduct the alleged illegal activity. The UFA has filters and blocks on its computers and Internet connections. Steadman, who has worked for the UFA for more than 30 years, is one of 12 battalion chiefs, Jensen said. He was last assigned to the South Battalion, which covers the south end of Salt Lake County, and was often quoted by the news media. - Lisa Rosetta

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