FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 25, 2025

Media Contact Information

PolicePIO@slc.gov

Media Request Form

https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Detectives Arrest Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Woman in Downtown, Community Tips Requested

SALT LAKE CITY – The Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) is asking for community tips after officers arrested a 35-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in downtown.

This investigation started around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, when a woman flagged down a person to report a suspicious circumstance.

Officers responded to the area of 100 South West Temple and began their investigation.

According to court documents, the woman accepted a ride from an unknown man outside of Salt Lake City.

While inside the vehicle, the suspect is accused of sexually assaulting the woman. The suspect drove the woman to a parking lot in Salt Lake City where he is accused of sexually assaulting the woman again.

Officers identified the suspect as Joshua Palacios.

Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe Palacios has been involved in similar incidents before, where he picked up different women and sexually assaulted them in his vehicle.

To protect the identity of the victim, no information about her is being released.

Based on the ongoing investigation, SLCPD detectives have reason to believe additional individuals may have been victimized by Palacios.

Anyone with information or who believes they may have had a similar encounter is urged to contact SLCPD detectives at 801-799-3000.

To preserve the integrity of this investigation and avoid compromising potential witness statements, the SLCPD is not releasing additional information about the suspect or the associated vehicle at this time.

Detectives booked Palacios into the Salt Lake County Jail on two counts of forcible sexual abuse and one count of unlawful detention.

The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes that sexual violence involving an unknown attacker can increase alarm within our community.

While these types of cases are fortunately rare in Salt Lake City, when they do occur, our officers and detectives are committed to conducting thorough investigations and supporting survivors through trauma-informed approaches.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

###