was a former LDS bishop in or near Chandler, Maricopa County, Arizona; accused of raping and impregnating a 14-year-old girl in his ward while he was her bishop; pleaded guilty, served time in prison

Case report

Arlo Atkin raped and impregnated a 14-year-old girl.

He was at one time an LDS bishop in the Chandler West stake in Arizona.

According to court records, Atkin had an ongoing sexual relationship with the 14-year-old between October 1989 and June 1990.

In 1990 in Arizona, Atkin was accused of raping a 14-year-old. He was arrested in June 1990 and charged with sexual conduct with a minor, a felony.

A case was filed against him in Maricopa County.

The plaintiff, Ellen LNU (last name unknown) had been molested twice by the time she was fourteen.

Arlo Atkin took Ellen into his home. Soon after, Atkin sexually abused the child also.

Ellen attempted suicide.

When Church members became suspicious, Ellen moved back home with her family. A few months later, Ellen was pregnant with Atkin’s child; she claimed she had been raped by another person.

But her mother found sexually explicit love letters from Atkin to the girl.

Atkin pleaded guilty to the felony charge in February 1991, served 132 days in jail and was excommunicated. He also was placed on probation for three years (he completed that 1994-04-06) and ordered not to have contact with minors without supervision and to have no contact with the victim.

Ellen gave birth to the child and put the baby up for adoption.

In late 1990, Atkin and his wife divorced.

Atkins violated probation by having contact with Ellen, and according to the Clark County, Nevada clerk’s office, they married in October 1991 in Las Vegas while Atkin was on probation and under order to stay away from her (source: https://www.newspapers.com/image/117167548/?terms=%22arlo%20atkin%22&match=1).

Court records do not show that Atkin was ever prosecuted for violating his probation.

Case information from the Maricopa County website:

Case number: CR1990-010993
Case Information
Case Type: Criminal Location: Downtown
Party Information
Party Name – Number Relationship Sex Attorney Judge Case #
State Of Arizona – (1)
Plaintiff N/A JENNINGS, TERRY
ARLO KAY ATKIN – (3)
Defendant M To Be Determined Foreman CR1990-010993-
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
6/10/1998 LED – 2.8 (d) Letter – Party () 6/26/1998
7/29/1994 EVR – EHBIBITS VIEWING REQUEST – Party () 8/4/1994
4/25/1994 DRE – Disposition – Party () 5/6/1994
NOTE: SUPPLEMENTAL
4/8/1994 ODP – Ord: Discharge from Probation – Party () 4/22/1994
8/13/1993 MEM – Memorandum – Party () 8/17/1993
11/4/1992 PMP – PET: Modify Cond Prob/Order – Party () 11/17/1992
9/6/1991 PMC – Petition Mod Cond/Reg of Prob – Party () 9/13/1991
8/14/1991 TOP – Terms & Conditions of Probation – Party () 8/21/1991
8/14/1991 999 – ME: Other – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 LET – Letter – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 LET – Letter – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 LET – Letter – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 NRA – Notice of Right to Appeal – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 EXW – Exhibits Work Sheet – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 PVR – PROBATION VIOLATION REPORT – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 LET – Letter – Party () 8/20/1991
8/14/1991 182 – ME: Disposition Hearing – Party () 8/16/1991
8/14/1991 LET – Letter – Party () 8/20/1991
7/23/1991 113 – ME: Violation Hearing – Party () 7/29/1991
7/22/1991 SUB – SUBPOENA – Party () 7/25/1991 Plaintiff (1)
NOTE: SERVED 7/22/91
7/12/1991 NOT – Notice – Party () 7/17/1991 Defendant (3)
NOTE: OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
7/12/1991 215 – ME: SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL – Party () 7/17/1991
7/12/1991 ORD – Order – Party () 7/17/1991 Defendant (3)
NOTE: OF SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
7/2/1991 IAP – Initail Appear Prob Revocation – Party () 7/9/1991
7/2/1991 BWA – Bench Warrant – Party () 7/9/1991
NOTE: SERVED 6/25/91
7/2/1991 112 – ME: Revocation Arraignment – Party () 7/10/1991
7/1/1991 BWA – Bench Warrant – Party () 7/8/1991
6/25/1991 PRO – Petition to Revoke Prob/Order – Party () 6/27/1991
4/25/1991 DRE – Disposition – Party () 4/25/1991
4/5/1991 PSR – Presentence Report – Party () 4/8/1991 Defendant (3)
4/3/1991 NRA – Notice of Right to Appeal – Party () 4/8/1991 Defendant (3)
NOTE: AND APPEAL PROCEDURE
4/3/1991 181 – ME: Sentencing – Party () 4/10/1991
4/3/1991 TOP – Terms & Conditions of Probation – Party () 4/9/1991
3/12/1991 MCO – Motion to Continue – Party () 3/14/1991 Defendant (3)
3/6/1991 176 – ME: CONTINUANCE – Party () 3/15/1991
2/5/1991 105 – ME: Plea Agreement/Change of Plea – Party () 2/8/1991
2/5/1991 PAG – Plea Agreement – Party () 2/8/1991
1/28/1991 000 – ME: Minute Entry – Party () 2/1/1991
1/15/1991 SUB – SUBPOENA – Party () 1/16/1991 Plaintiff (1)
1/15/1991 SUB – SUBPOENA – Party () 1/16/1991 Plaintiff (1)
1/11/1991 MCO – Motion to Continue – Party () 1/14/1991 Defendant (3)
NOTE: TRIAL DATE
1/7/1991 MCO – Motion to Continue – Party () 1/8/1991 Defendant (3)
1/7/1991 MET – Motion/Extension of Time – Party () 1/8/1991 Defendant (3)
1/3/1991 998 – ME: Multiple Events – Party () 1/7/1991
12/26/1990 RES – Response – Party () 12/27/1990 Plaintiff (1)
NOTE: TO DEF’S MOTION TO CONTINUE
12/20/1990 ACO – Allegation of Historical Priors – Party () 12/21/1990 Plaintiff (1)
NOTE: ALLEG/HANNAH
11/21/1990 CSR – Case Status Report – Party () 11/26/1990
11/20/1990 TRF – Mot/Ord Temp Removal File Etc – Party () 11/26/1990 Plaintiff (1)
11/20/1990 151 – ME: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE – Party () 11/29/1990
11/15/1990 LET – Letter – Party () 11/16/1990
NOTE: 404 NOTICE
11/15/1990 LWI – List of Witnesses – Party () 11/16/1990 Plaintiff (1)
NOTE: AND EXHIBITS
11/5/1990 NAR – Notice Of Appearance – Party () 11/6/1990
11/5/1990 ROR – RELEASE ORDER – Party () 11/6/1990
NOTE: O.R. 11/1/90
11/1/1990 152 – ME: Not Guilty Plea Arraign – Party () 11/7/1990
10/22/1990 SUM – Summons – Party () 10/23/1990 Plaintiff (1)
NOTE: CTS 1-3/SERVED 10-18-90
10/15/1990 TSP – TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS – Party () 10/24/1990
NOTE: 10-5-90
10/9/1990 DWL – Defendant/Witness List – Party () 10/23/1990 Plaintiff (1)
10/5/1990 144 – ME: G J True Bill/Summons Iss – Party () 10/23/1990
10/5/1990 IND – Indictment – Party () 10/23/1990 Plaintiff (1)
NOTE: CTS 1-3 SEXUAL CONDUCT W/MINOR CL 6 FEL/DR 90-1740566 MESA PD/DOC CT 1 BETW; 8-1-89 & 12-1-89, CTS 2-3 6-17-90
Case Calendar
Date Time Event
11/1/1990 8:30 Original Arraignment Not Guilty

There was also a civil case:

Civil Court Case Information – Case History
« Return to search results
Case Information
Case Number: CV1994-010310 Judge: Julian, Melissa
File Date: 7/1/1994 Location: Northeast
Case Type: Civil
Party Information
Party Name Relationship Sex Attorney
E P Plaintiff None Amy Langerman
Corp Of The Pres Of Chur Of Jes Chr Lds Defendant None G SNOW
James Stapley Defendant Male G SNOW
Arlo Atkin Defendant None Pro Per
Myrna Atkin Defendant Female BRADLEY JARDINE
Cleo Stapley Defendant Female G SNOW
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
1/18/1995 ORD – Order 1/19/1995 Defendant(2)
NOTE: OF DISMISSAL W/PREJUDICE
1/13/1995 MOT – Motion 1/18/1995 Defendant(2)
NOTE: JOINT MOT DISMISS W/PREJUD
10/3/1994 NOT – Notice 10/4/1994 Defendant(2)
NOTE: AMENDED NOTICE OF FOREIGN DEPOSITION W/CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
10/3/1994 NOT – Notice 10/4/1994 Defendant(2)
NOTE: AMENDED NOTICE OF FOREIGN DEPOSITION W/CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
10/3/1994 ORD – Order 10/4/1994 Plaintiff(1)
NOTE: THAT NAMED ATTORNEY MAY PRACTICE BEFORE THIS COURT EP V THE CORP OF THE PRESID-; ENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS ET AL ONLY
10/3/1994 NOT – Notice 10/4/1994 Defendant(2)
NOTE: OF FOREIGN DEPOSITIN W/CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
9/29/1994 NOT – Notice 9/30/1994 Defendant(2)
NOTE: OF FOREIGN DEPOSTION W/CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
9/29/1994 NOT – Notice 9/30/1994 Defendant(2)
NOTE: OF FOREIGN DEPOSTION W/CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
9/26/1994 APL – Application 9/27/1994 Plaintiff(1)
NOTE: TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE & ORDER
9/9/1994 REQ – Request 9/15/1994
NOTE: PLEADING
9/7/1994 005 – ME: Hearing 9/16/1994
8/29/1994 REQ – Request 9/2/1994 Defendant(4)
NOTE: FOR PLEADING
8/29/1994 ANS – Answer 8/30/1994 Defendant(4)
8/25/1994 005 – ME: Hearing 9/2/1994
8/18/1994 RES – Response 8/22/1994 Defendant(5)
NOTE: TO PLAS CERTIFICATE ON COMPULSORY ARBITRATION
8/18/1994 ANS – Answer 8/19/1994 Defendant(5)
8/8/1994 CCA – Cert Compulsory Arbitration 8/10/1994 Defendant(2)
8/8/1994 ANS – Answer 8/9/1994 Defendant(2)
NOTE: TO PLA’S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
8/3/1994 MOT – Motion 8/4/1994 Plaintiff(1)
NOTE: TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE & ORDER
7/22/1994 ACS – Acceptance Of Service 7/26/1994 Plaintiff(1)
NOTE: P2-3 7-8-94
7/19/1994 PRA – Praecipe 7/22/1994
7/19/1994 AMC – Amended Complaint 7/21/1994 Plaintiff(1)
7/1/1994 999 – Other 7/6/1994 Plaintiff(1)
7/1/1994 CCA – Cert Compulsory Arbitration 7/6/1994 Plaintiff(1)
7/1/1994 COM – Complaint 7/6/1994 Plaintiff(1)
Case Calendar
There are no calendar events on file
Judgments
There are no judgments on file

There was also a divorce case related to Atkin:

Case Number: DR1990-008594 Judge: Russell, Andrew
File Date: 7/25/1990 Location: Northeast
Case Type: Domestic Relations
Party Information
Party Name Relationship Sex Attorney
Myrna Jarvis Atkin Petitioner Female CHRISTINA HAMILTON
Arlo Kay Atkin Respondent Male Pro Per
Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date Filing Party
2/2/2001 RAC – Request for Change Of Address/Name 2/6/2001
4/7/1997 LET – Letter 4/16/1997
11/29/1996 WSH – Worksheet 12/18/1996
NOTE: DISPOSITION OF EXH
9/30/1996 RTM – Returned Mail or Returned/ReMailed Mail 10/18/1996
9/19/1996 LED – 2.8 (d) Letter 9/26/1996
8/13/1996 MEM – Memorandum 8/14/1996
NOTE: RE: CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT
5/17/1996 LET – Letter 5/28/1996
3/21/1996 ORD – Order 3/22/1996 Respondent
NOTE: AMENDING DECREE
1/10/1994 023 – ME: Order Entered By Court 1/26/1994
1/10/1994 MOT – Motion 2/1/1994 Petitioner
NOTE: FOR CLARIFICATION
11/29/1993 000 – ME: Minute Entry 12/7/1993
10/15/1992 LET – Letter 10/16/1992
10/15/1992 000 – ME: Minute Entry 10/19/1992
5/27/1992 CEI – Current Employer Information 6/5/1992
5/20/1992 LET – Letter 5/21/1992
5/12/1992 000 – ME: Minute Entry 5/18/1992
5/4/1992 2:30:00 PM JUD – Judgment 5/4/1992 2:30:00 PM
NOTE: Posted during iCIS Conversion
5/4/1992 022 – ME: Order Signed 5/11/1992
4/20/1992 ORD – Order 4/20/1992
4/20/1992 MOT – Motion 4/20/1992 Respondent
NOTE: TO W/DRAW AS COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR RESPONDENT BY MICHAEL HALLADAY II
4/17/1992 214 – 214 4/22/1992
4/14/1992 PWC – Parent Worksheet/Child Support 4/27/1992 Respondent
4/14/1992 OOA – Order Of Assignment 5/8/1992 Respondent
4/14/1992 022 – ME: Order Signed 4/17/1992
3/17/1992 LET – Letter 3/24/1992
3/17/1992 EXW – Exhibits Work Sheet 4/1/1992
3/17/1992 229 – ME: Hearing On Osc 3/23/1992
3/17/1992 999 – ME: Other 3/24/1992
NOTE: MODIFICATION CHILD SUPPORT / SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE
3/17/1992 CSO – Cso 3/24/1992
3/17/1992 LET – Letter 3/24/1992
3/3/1992 LET – Letter 3/4/1992
3/2/1992 OSC – Order To Show Cause 3/4/1992 Petitioner
NOTE: RE MODIFICATION CHILD SUPPORT
2/28/1992 AFS – Affidavit Of Service 4/20/1992
2/11/1992 OSC – Order To Show Cause 2/12/1992 Petitioner
2/5/1992 279 – ME: Hearing Set Regarding Modification 2/11/1992
1/27/1992 PET – Petition 2/3/1992 Petitioner
NOTE: 4 MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT
7/29/1991 999 – ME: Other 7/30/1991
NOTE: MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT OR SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE
7/23/1991 229 – ME: Hearing On Osc 7/30/1991
7/16/1991 AFS – Affidavit Of Service 7/23/1991
7/16/1991 OSC – Order To Show Cause 7/18/1991 Respondent
NOTE: RE MODIFICATION
5/21/1991 CME – Credit Memo 5/22/1991 Respondent
NOTE: FOR POST DECREE PETITION
4/3/1991 9:00:00 AM DDI – Decree Of Dissolution 4/3/1991 9:00:00 AM
NOTE: Posted during iCIS Conversion
4/3/1991 999 – ME: Other 4/9/1991
4/3/1991 211 – ME: Dissolution Hearing 4/12/1991
3/21/1991 MOT – Motion 3/25/1991 Petitioner
NOTE: ENTER DECREE DISSOLUTION
3/21/1991 999 – ME: Other 4/2/1991
3/14/1991 MOT – Motion 3/15/1991 Petitioner
NOTE: ENTER DECREE DISSOLUTION
3/14/1991 219 – ME: Successful Mediation 4/2/1991
1/23/1991 208 – ME: Case On Inactive Calendar 1/23/1991
12/19/1990 LET – Letter 12/20/1990
11/29/1990 999 – ME: Other 12/4/1990
10/25/1990 REQ – Request 10/26/1990
NOTE: FOR MANDITORY MEDIATION
10/24/1990 209 – ME: Mediation Requested 10/29/1990
10/24/1990 999 – ME: Other 10/26/1990
10/23/1990 CMR – Cmr 10/23/1990
10/19/1990 CEI – Current Employer Information 10/19/1990
10/18/1990 999 – ME: Other 10/19/1990 Respondent
NOTE: MEDIATION
10/10/1990 CMR – Cmr 10/11/1990
10/10/1990 CMR – Cmr 10/11/1990
10/2/1990 CEI – Current Employer Information 10/3/1990
9/24/1990 PWC – Parent Worksheet/Child Support 9/27/1990 Petitioner
9/20/1990 022 – ME: Order Signed 9/25/1990
9/20/1990 OOA – Order Of Assignment 10/1/1990 Petitioner
NOTE: AFTER HEARING
9/11/1990 229 – ME: Hearing On Osc 9/17/1990
8/16/1990 OSC – Order To Show Cause 8/16/1990 Petitioner
NOTE: & AFF OF SERVICE
8/10/1990 NSE – Notice Of Service 8/13/1990 Petitioner
NOTE: OF DISCOVERY PAPERS
7/25/1990 NCH – Notice To Convert Health Ins 7/25/1990 Petitioner
7/25/1990 PET – Petition 7/25/1990 Petitioner
7/25/1990 PIN – Preliminary Injunction 7/25/1990 Petitioner
7/25/1990 CSH – Coversheet 7/25/1990 Petitioner
2/19/1978 LET – Letter 2/20/1998
Case Calendar
There are no calendar events on file

Case facts

Case information sources

  1. [temple marriage announcement of the accused]
    view source details | 16 Nov 1978 | Pleasant Grove Review -
  2. Maricopa County criminal case number: CR1990-010993
    view source details | |
  3. Maricopa County civil case number: CV1994-010310
    view source details | |
  4. Maricopa County family court case number: DR1990-008594
    view source details | |
  5. Mormon bishop impregnated teen, suit says - Arizona Republic - 1994-07-08
    view source details | |
  6. Councilman dropped from civil lawsuit - Arizona Republic - 1995-02-03 - part 1 of 2
    view source details | |
  7. Councilman dropped from civil lawsuit - Arizona Republic - 1995-02-03 - part 2 of 2
    view source details | |

Case information source details

Browse the Mormon Sexual Abuse Database

FLOODLIT.org has a free public database of hundreds of reports about people who committed or allegedly committed sex crimes, including sexual abuse, while they were active Mormon church members. You can browse the entire database in all sorts of ways, including by LDS church position, number of victims, places where crimes took place, or criminal/civil case result.

View the Mormon Sexual Abuse Map

International map of locations where active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perpetrated or allegedly perpetrated sexual abuse or other sex crimes, or where LDS leaders failed or allegedly failed to help abuse survivors.

 

Add information

Search the Mormon Sexual Abuse Database