US scuba diver Jared Leisek, founder of the underwater search & recovery team Adventures With Purpose (AWP), has been charged with two counts of rape of a minor, offences allegedly committed as a teenager 30 years ago.
Leisek, 47, of Redmond, Oregon, is accused of abusing a female relative aged 9-10 at two locations in the state of Utah in late 1992. He had been seven years older than the alleged victim, according to documents filed on 3 November at a district court in Sanpete County.
There is no statute of limitations on child-sex offences in Utah. Leisek is not in custody but is set to appear before the court by video link on 30 November.
Leisek’s AWP dive-team came to prominence with what started as underwater clean-ups and “treasure-hunting” but evolved into solving up to 26 cold-cases by finding the remains of missing persons in cars submerged in inland waters. The Adventures With Purpose YouTube Channel, of which Leisek is owner and creative director, now claims 2.8 million subscribers and its Facebook page 1.5 million followers.
A recent high-profile discovery, followed on the channel by some 3.3m viewers, was that of an SUV containing missing teenager Kiely Rodni, in a California lake previously searched by police. Controversy was caused by AWP’s disputed claims that despite the official accidental death verdict the circumstances of Rodni’s death appeared suspicious. Leisek did not take part in that August search operation, which was reported on Divernet.
A self-described “serial entrepreneur”, Leisek started sharing his underwater activities online in 2017, while diving to remove rubbish and finding a variety of lost property at inland sites. From 2019 he collaborated with tow-truck operator Doug Bishop in retrieving sunken cars, leading Bishop to join AWP and become its other most familiar face as lead investigator and diver.
AWP claimed that almost all its discoveries of human remains were made in areas that had already been searched by law agencies, thanks to the sonar-scanning equipment it used prior to diving. The team provide their services to families of missing persons for free, but have supported their efforts through membership fees, equipment sponsorships, merchandise sales and on some occasions reward money.
The future of AWP appeared to be in doubt following emergence of the criminal charges against its founder. “What happened 30 years ago has come to light and it‘s been affecting everybody involved with this,” stated Bishop in a video posted on 9 November.
“There are contracts in place, there are legal ramifications… I’ve always followed the code and that code has been violated… None of us knew any of this and I’m just as shocked as anybody else. It’s really unfortunate and heartbreaking.“
Also on Divernet: Body Recovery Divers Crack 20th Cold Case
I will wait till this goes to court. In American you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. let him have his day in court, if it gets that far
That’s what they anyway. All his so called friends have already judged him guilty.
Why the heck is this article written, much less on this site? What are we judge and jury now that has nothing to do with diving. I dive because it makes me feel free, gives me pleasure. And you smut this site with this.
Stick to what you know, not what is alleged. We all have dived with groups of people we have no idea their background, but diving i believe has always brought the best in all of us. You without a sin? Throw a stone, but I call bulls*
Think before you put an article like this EVER again!
This crime is 30 years old. He was a minor when he allegedly committed it.
Why is this being prosecuted now? When was the complaint made? I wonder what sort of evidence there is for it.
Hello,
You can find more information in this sticky on r/AdventuresWithPurpose (“fan” forum not affiliated with AWP): https://old.reddit.com/r/AdventuresWithPurpose/comments/ym7d21/it_is_official_jared_has_been_indicted_by_the/
I wondered the same thing. Yes, he would have been a minor but if true, that is no excuse. However, why now? Is it because he has found some fame? Wrong is wrong and if there is truth he should have been prosecuted but I’m not understanding why NOW when they’ve obviously had 30 years in which to accuse him. Seems suspect.
Who ever it is there after money I think
Exactly, why didn’t she tell someone the first time it supposedly happened
Right now it is she said he said. Really funny 30 years ago and now Jared has a lot of money. ????
I am blown away! Why is it he never faced charges 30 years ago:/
Why now, he wasn’t charged as adult. 30 years ago….. sure he was wrong to do this. .. I’ve watch Jared videos, he admits he did terrible things.. growing up… but now he has changed, from 30 years ago…. AWP… has help find missing People, and brought them home. Thanks to Jared, his AWP team…. Jared has done The Best he could do, for the better good… day after day… diving, searching… to bring back home missing people…… People change, I won’t turn my back on Jared…. Why go after a person 30 years ago? Our world justice… put all kinds of bad people away…. And let them be released to complete more horrible crimes…. Unfortunately Jared, should have had his past brought out before putting together his AWP….
I agree. Isn’t changing and doing what he is doing now do you think that’s his way of repenting if he did these bad deeds as a minor then he shouldn’t be charged as an adult if that is what he is being charged with. I also believe there is a statute of limitations on that. Let’s see what the lawyers say I always say wait at least a couple of weeks because the story always changes day by day nowadays in the end he could be acquitted.
No limitations in Utah
Because he was not famous and not rich
In the UK people get caught doing what evil crime’s that they committed years ago, and Go too prison for it,as they should, some get away with there crime’s that they did 30 or 40 year’s ago . The classic case over here is here and I’m sure that you must have heard about over in the state’s,is Jimmy savill
Well it’s funny, 30yrs ago she didn’t tell anyone, could be his money
need to watch this. What kinda person Jared is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGnHJ5dJivE