Summit County, Utah — A former attorney from Park City, Joseph Edward Wrona, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of forcible sexual abuse and incest. Wrona will spend 364 days in Summit County Jail, followed by 48 months of supervised probation. As part of his sentence, he must comply with standard sex offender conditions, which include registration. Additionally, he is prohibited from having any contact with his biological daughter for the rest of his life.
Wrona’s arrest occurred in June 2022, following allegations of sexual assault against his adult biological daughter. Originally charged with first-degree felony rape, he pleaded guilty on November 20 to one count of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony, and one count of incest, a third-degree felony. The punishment for the former ranges from one to 15 years in prison, with fines of up to $10,000. The latter offense carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
According to the Summit County Attorney’s Office, various parties involved in the case, including victim advocates, the victim’s attorney, and the prosecution team, agreed that the plea bargain and subsequent sentence were appropriate. Officials believed that presenting the case to a jury would have carried significant trial risks with an uncertain outcome.
County Attorney Margaret Olson emphasized the decision against a jury trial, which was made to prioritize the emotional and mental well-being of the survivor. The consideration was given to sparing her from testifying in court and exposing her to the traumatic details of the crime. The survivor’s welfare took precedence over widespread calls for maximum penalties, as the prosecution sought to ensure that she did not bear the burden of seeking justice for Wrona’s actions.
In conclusion, former Park City attorney Joseph Edward Wrona has been sentenced to 364 days in Summit County Jail for charges of forcible sexual abuse and incest against his biological daughter. Alongside his incarceration, he will undergo 48 months of supervised probation and must adhere to standard sex offender conditions, including registration. The decision to forego a jury trial was based on concerns for the survivor’s emotional and mental well-being, ensuring she would not have to endure further trauma during the legal process.