A Lehi, Utah man was arrested Tuesday morning following allegations that he assaulted a juvenile at a church gymnasium after a volleyball tournament. Authorities say the incident led to injuries and raised concerns about witness tampering.
Nathan Jack Speaker, 42, was with family members, a juvenile, and another adult following the tournament at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when the alleged altercation occurred. According to the report, as the children were continuing to play with the volleyball, the juvenile victim stepped in front of Speaker and hit the ball away from him.
This reportedly enraged Speaker, who then grabbed the juvenile by the throat, lifted him off the ground, and threw him across the room. The juvenile later reported that he was unable to breathe during the encounter. Upon impact, he collided with one of Speaker’s children, sustaining a contusion and a scrape.
An adult witness did not see the physical altercation but noticed the juvenile visibly distressed, holding his throat and crying. The witness then intervened as Speaker allegedly moved toward the juvenile again. The juvenile was later taken home and informed his mother about the incident.
Later that night, Speaker reportedly left a handwritten note apologizing to the victim and his family. He also sent a text message to the victim’s mother, urging her not to involve the police. In a separate conversation, the victim’s father allegedly suggested that filing a report was unnecessary.
Officials confirmed that Speaker was already on probation due to a prior incident involving a young family member. Law enforcement also noted concerns about his mental health, as he had reportedly told neighbors that he would take his own life if he were arrested. The victim and his mother have expressed fear regarding Speaker’s behavior.
Following the incident, Speaker avoided law enforcement for nearly four days, staying at an undisclosed location. Family members were allegedly aware of his whereabouts but refused to cooperate with authorities.
When he was finally located and arrested, he was ordered to be held without bail due to concerns that he might flee, as he had travel plans to Southern California and Texas. Speaker is now under investigation for aggravated child abuse and tampering with a witness, both classified as second-degree felonies.
Authorities continue to investigate the case.
For those in crisis or needing support, the national suicide prevention hotline can be reached by dialing 988.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
