Utah parole board lifts release date for repeat sex offender after victim's testimony

SALT LAKE CITY — A repeat offender will not be released from prison next year as expected.

The Utah State Board of Pardons and Parole announced a new decision this week that will rescind Byron Thad Haderlie's February 2025 parole date. The change comes after the board previously granted his release without input from his victims, including his ex-wife.

“It makes a huge difference to attend these hearings and have the opportunity to have your voice heard,” says Cami Johnson, who is relieved to hear the news of the parole board’s latest decision.

KSL Investigators have covered the cases against Haderlie in detail in the series “Failure to Protect,” exposing gaps at all levels of Utah’s criminal justice system.

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Johnson reported to Cache County police in 2017 that Haderlie, 54, drugged and raped her and sent explicit images of her to others that were taken while she was incapacitated. Although Johnson immediately reported to police and underwent a forensic examination at the hospital, Haderlie was released because law enforcement failed to properly investigate her case.

More than a year later, a 16-year-old girl reported to police in another district that Haderlie had also drugged her and attempted to sexually abuse her.

Victim of sexual assault: Delays in police investigations enabled perpetrators to attack teenager

Haderlie was convicted in the teenager's case in 2019. In October 2023, he was sentenced to zero to 15 years in prison on lesser charges he pleaded guilty to in the Johnson case.

But three months after his conviction, Johnson learned that the Utah Parole Board had approved Haderlie's scheduled release in February 2025 without her involvement. The letter the board sent to Johnson informing him of Haderlie's January hearing had been sent to the wrong address and returned to sender.

Hearing on the impact on the victim

In March, the parole board agreed to reconsider its decision to release Haderlie and hold a special victim impact hearing.

More than two dozen people – many in white sweatshirts – crowded the hearing to show their support for Johnson and the survivor who was attacked by Haderlie as a teenager.

Cami Johnson hugs a family member at a parole board hearing for her ex-husband Byron Thad Haderlie. (Josh Szymanik, KSL-TV)

His release was contingent on him completing sex offender treatment, a condition the Justice Department told the panel in June that Haderlie could not meet.

“Three years of freedom”

On Tuesday, the panel held another hearing. Haderlie again asked for a release date. He pointed out that he had behaved well behind bars and said that if he were released, he would not try to contact his family members or the survivors who want to keep him incarcerated.

“I'm going to move on with my life. I'm going to do the things I need to do,” he said. “So I'm asking for this opportunity and this date.”

The board's new decision does not include a parole date. Instead, Haderlie is ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and participate in several programs, including one called “Victim Impact.” The board has scheduled Haderlie's next parole hearing for August 2027.

“That's three years of knowing we won't be persecuted. That's three years of freedom,” Johnson said.

Cami Johnson speaks in an interview with KSL investigators on August 23, 2024. (Avi Robledo, KSL-TV)

The panel's written decision states that it was based in part on the “extreme cruelty or depravity” of Haderlie's crimes and the “significant physical or psychological injuries” suffered by several victims.

Johnson said she believes the panel's change in decision underscores the importance of victim involvement in parole hearings.

“I think we just have to keep talking and talking and talking, even though it's so bad. It's the worst thing to have to live through it over and over again,” she said. “But these people need to be held accountable.”

Victim notification

The Utah State Board of Pardons and Parole has promised to improve its victim notification services by establishing a victim-centered notification system.

On Friday, Jennifer Yim, administrative director of the Utah State Board of Pardons and Parole, said the first phase of its victim notification platform is expected to go live this fall.

“The first phase will create the infrastructure to enable the panel to track and manage victims' preferences in its system and provide notifications through various means (e.g. SMS, phone, email). After the first phase is completed, the panel will work on creating a portal where victims, their representatives or advocates can enter their contact information and preferences,” Yim wrote in an email to KSL.

She said the board is also in the final stages of hiring a new director of public relations and transparency.

Until the new victim notification system is operational, Yim said the best thing a victim or survivor who wants to participate in parole hearings can do is call or write the panel and let them know when and how they prefer to be contacted.

The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole can be reached at 801-261-6464.

This report is part of a series examining how glaring gaps at every level of Utah's criminal justice system fail to protect Utahns.

If you have experienced sexual violence, you can get help and resources by calling Utah's 24-hour hotline for victims of sexual assault at 1-801-736-4356 (English) or 1-801-924-0860 (Spanish). You can also call Rape Recovery Center Phone Number during office hours at 801-467-7282 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential advice.

Have you experienced something you think is wrong? KSL Investigators want to help you. Send your tip to [email protected] or 385-707-6153 so we can take action on your behalf.