Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Utah Dad Punishes Teenage Daughter with ‘Waterboarding' | Crime Alert 6AM 02.13.2026

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Crime Stories Team (Sydney Sumner reporting)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Episode Overview

This episode presents a roundup of the day’s most alarming crime news, led by the breaking and deeply disturbing case of David Nephi Johnson, a Utah county Republican Party chairman, who is charged with aggravated child abuse after allegations he “waterboarded” his teenage daughter as punishment. The podcast then shifts to other major crime alerts across the United States, including a vehicle attack at a youth baseball fundraiser in California, a Tennessee man’s large-scale child exploitation case, and a Pennsylvania road rage crash involving a child.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Utah 'Waterboarding' Child Abuse Case

[00:00 - 03:00]

• Incident: David Nephi Johnson, 54, Wasatch County Republican Party chairman, is arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse.
• Allegations: Johnson allegedly punished his teenage daughter for not cleaning her room by forcibly dunking her head under water multiple times in a bathroom sink.
  • The daughter described persistent fear:

    "I don't feel very safe. When I go to bed, I feel like I can't sleep because I don't feel safe. When my dad's not home, I feel fine, but when he's home, I never feel safe because I feel like something's going to happen." — [00:59]

• Pattern of Behavior: Daughter also reported previous incidents where siblings, especially her younger brother, suffered similar abuse.
  • Allegation details: Johnson “pulled her brother from under the water, splashed water on his face and nose, knocked him down and repeated the act again multiple times.” [00:42]
• Impact: The girl communicated to child advocates and police that she fears for her life.

  • “She did not feel safe in her home and expressed fear for her life.” — [00:16]

• Political Ramifications: Wasatch County GOP executive committee held an emergency session.
  • Vice Chair Patty Sprunt is to temporarily assume leadership.
  • Official statement:

    “The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations...” — [01:54]

  • “No evidence had been presented so far and that the community should refrain from judgment.” — [02:10]
• Status: Johnson was arrested Tuesday and booked into county jail.
  • Investigation is ongoing; community reaction is mixed.

2. California Youth Fundraiser Vehicle Attack

[03:00 - 05:00]

• Incident: Jonathan Marrer, 49, intentionally drives into a group at a youth baseball fundraiser in Truckee, CA.
  • Eight counts of attempted murder, multiple assault charges.
• Victims: Three young players, three parents, and a sibling injured at the 12U Tahoe Titans’ fundraiser outside a Safeway store.
  • Survivor’s account:

    “I heard it like 2 seconds before or half a second before I got hit... I just remember getting pulled out of rubble.” — Unnamed Youth [03:56]

• Motive and Behavior: Prior to the attack, Marrer allegedly stubbed out a cigarette on a team sign and acted agitated.
  • Parent Jamie DeWitt recounted:

    “He put a cigarette out on one of our signs and walked into the store. He came back out and gave us a terrible look and mumbled something.” — [04:12]

• Legal Context: DA Jesse Wilson:

  • “The allegations that this act was intentional and directed at kids is hard to comprehend... will do everything we can to the fullest extent of the law to hold this individual accountable...” — [03:33]

• Background: Marrer has lengthy criminal record.

3. Tennessee Man Charged with Large-Scale Child Exploitation

[05:00 - 06:00]

• Incident: Michael Francis allegedly uploaded 539 images and 145 videos of child rape material from May to October 2024.
  • Google’s automated system detected and reported him.
• Case Evidence: Francis linked by user data and self-produced, identifiable media files.
• Legal Proceedings: Charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. Held on $75,000 bond, with a hearing scheduled.

4. Pennsylvania Road Rage Motorcycle Assault

[06:00 - 07:30]

• Incident: Amya Steele, 23, charged after striking a motorcycle (driven by a man carrying his eight-year-old daughter) with her Honda Accord during a road rage incident.
  • After hitting the motorcycle, she fled but her car later broke down.
• Charges: Aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment, and reckless driving.
• Context: Event involved three motorcycles and a black Accord; facing preliminary court hearing.
• Injuries: No details given on injuries to victims.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Victim's Fear:

  “I don’t feel very safe. When I go to bed, I feel like I can’t sleep because I don’t feel safe. When my dad’s not home, I feel fine, but when he’s home, I never feel safe because I feel like something’s going to happen.”
  — Teenage victim (Utah case), [00:59]

• Community Statement:

  “The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance to our party and our community. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the nature of the allegations...”
  — Wasatch County GOP Executive Committee, [01:54]

• District Attorney’s Resolve:

  “The allegations that this act was intentional and directed at kids is hard to comprehend... [We will] do everything we can to the fullest extent of the law to hold this individual accountable...”
  — Jesse Wilson, Nevada County District Attorney [03:33]

• Aftermath of California Attack:

  “I just remember getting pulled out of rubble.”
  — Injured youth, [03:56]

• Parent’s Suspicion Preceding Attack:

  “He put a cigarette out on one of our signs and walked into the store. He came back out and gave us a terrible look and mumbled something.”
  — Jamie DeWitt, parent, [04:12]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Utah Waterboarding Case Details: 00:00 – 03:00
• California Youth Fundraiser Vehicle Attack: 03:00 – 05:00
• Tennessee Child Exploitation Charges: 05:00 – 06:00
• Pennsylvania Road Rage Assault: 06:00 – 07:30

Tone & Style

The reporting is direct, urgent, and sensitive, respecting victims’ statements and emphasizing the severity of these criminal incidents. The language is descriptive but avoids graphic or sensationalized details. The tone throughout is serious and empathetic, echoing Nancy Grace’s championing of victims’ voices and justice.

Summary

This episode of “Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” delivers a harrowing roundup of crimes, led by the deeply unsettling Utah child abuse case involving an alleged “waterboarding” punishment. Listeners hear firsthand the victim’s fear and the subsequent political fallout. The episode continues with a chilling attack on children at a baseball fundraiser, a major child exploitation arrest, and reckless endangerment in a multi-vehicle road rage incident. Quotes from authorities, survivors, and family members provide powerful, authentic context to each segment.