A Utah public-safety appeal · Time-sensitive

Help Stop the BOPP from releasing this dangerous criminal!

Troy Dean Richey’s parole is currently scheduled for September 8, 2026. Join the call for Utah Governor, Spencer Cox, to demand that the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole immediately review, and deny Richey’s parole.

When contacting the Governor, reference case number 00346444. Then share this page to help reach Utah and national media.

Petition campaign image of Troy Richey with a call to keep him behind bars
Campaign image supplied by petition organizer
SEPT 8Scheduled parole date
5–LIFESentence described in the petition
ACT NOWSign the petition. Message the Governor.

KUTV 2 Investigates

Watch the KUTV2 Investigative Report

Award-winning journalist, Wendy Halloran, investigates this controversial decision by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. Watch the segment that aired August 20th, 2026 and read the full story.

KUTV2 Investigates report: Violent sex offender set for parole

The issue

Why this decision is being challenged

The petition describes Troy Dean Richey as a violent repeat offender whose scheduled release has left victims and their families fearful for their safety. Organizers argue that the full history presented before and during trial—including multiple assault allegations, similar police reports, and evidence concerning incapacitated women—demands far greater scrutiny before any release takes place.

The campaign asks Governor Spencer Cox to intervene by demanding an immediate Board review. It also asks the five-member Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to deny the pending parole, continue Richey’s incarceration under his existing sentence, and give full weight to victim safety and the information submitted at the parole hearing.

Beyond this case, petition supporters are calling for stronger oversight, checks and balances, transparency, and a meaningful review process so that future decisions properly account for community safety and victims’ experiences.

Take both actions now.Sign the petition, then contact Governor Cox and reference case number 00346444.

What the petition says

Seven reasons organizers are asking for immediate review

  1. 01

    Richey received an other-than-honorable discharge from the U.S. Marines after violence against a fellow Marine.

  2. 02

    Richey has a history of multiple assaults and two earlier sexual-assault arrests that did not lead to trial.

  3. 03

    Honorable Judge Matthew Bates reviewed the seven ‘eerily similar’ police reports in Richey’s file, found him to be a danger to society, revoked bail, and remanded him to custody until trial.

  4. 04

    Richey admitted to putting a substance in one of his victim’s drink to lower her inhibitions. Two forensic nurses testified at trial that the amount Richey used could have been fatal.

  5. 05

    Police found a flash drive containing more than 70 recordings of Richey’s sexual encounters, involving more than 30 different women, many severely intoxicated, including two recordings made of the victim without her knowledge.

  6. 06

    Another victim came forward after Richey’s incarceration, and the matter was plead out to a third-degree felony. The only reason this victim accepted the plea deal was because she was told by the prosecuting attorney that a second guilty verdict would be enough for the BOPP to recognize Richey as a repeat offender and extend his previous 5-life sentence.

  7. 07

    At the February 3, 2026 parole hearing, the hearing officer said he was ‘very scared’ of Richey returning to society and called what Richey did to his victims ‘terrifying.’

The requested action

One signature. Three clear demands.

01

Rehear the decision

Ask the BOPP to review all relevant information before the scheduled release.

02

Deny the pending parole

Ask the Board to rescind parole and continue incarceration under the sentence imposed.

03

Reform the process

Support stronger oversight, transparency, checks and balances, and review procedures.

Why the timing matters

A narrow path for review

The petition identifies the Board’s five full-time members as Blake R. Hills (chair), Greg Johnson (vice chair), Dan Bokovoy, Melissa G. Stirba, and Brett Varoz. Board members are appointed by Utah’s governor with the consent of the Utah Senate.

Utah Code § 77-27-5 limits judicial review of Board decisions. While there is no traditional merits appeal, organizers note that parties may request rehearing, sentence redetermination, or review based on procedural error or new information directly from the Board. That is why public attention before September 8 is central to this campaign.

Help make this impossible to ignore

Sign. Message. Share.

Sign the petition, then ask Governor Spencer Cox to demand immediate review and denial of parole. Include case number 00346444 in your message.