Tooele court victim advocate says expanded grant-funded hours helped 426 people since July

Valin Mattson, the court victim advocate who works with the Tooele City Police Department, told the Tooele City Council on Feb. 18 that additional state grant funding expanded her hours and allowed her office to serve 426 victims of crime since July, up from 302 in the prior eight-month period.

"As a result of that expansion, we were able to assist 426 victims of crime compared to the 302 victims that were served during the previous 8 months," Mattson said, calling the increased outreach and support "very powerful." She described providing services to family members after a DUI-related homicide on Sept. 26, 2025, at Main Street and 2400 North, and said the defendant recently entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to one to 20 years in the Utah State Prison. Mattson said her office helped surviving family members make victim impact statements at the hearing.

Mattson asked council members to let her know if they would like additional reporting in the biannual grant update. Councilmembers thanked her for the work. No questions were raised by council members during the presentation.

The report was presented as part of an agenda item described as a state-funded grant update; Mattson noted that part of her position is funded by the grant and that she is required to report biannually. She told the council that expanded hours helped provide more consistent outreach and support to individuals and families affected by crime.

Next steps: Mattson said she will return for the required biannual report; no formal action was required by the council on this agenda item.