Facts
Summary

In 2005 in Australia, Joseph Atwater, “a man of high standing” in the LDS Church, pled guilty to one count of stalking and one count of kidnapping involving two minors. He exposed himself; showed pornographic images and sketches to the children. “The former missionary sneaked into the teenagers’ house at night without their parents’ knowledge and entered the bedrooms of their younger siblings, the court was told.”
“Judge Campton said Atwater had the support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and said a bishop described him as “of high-standing in the church, devoted to his wife, family and grandchildren.”
Raise awareness with Floodlit.org
Help Floodlit shine a light on sexual abuse in the Mormon church.
Your support enables us to conduct research, publish case info, and make court documents freely available.
Floodlit is a non-profit with two full-time employees and some wonderful volunteers.
As of June 29, 2025, we are in urgent need of donations. Please chip in if you can! Thank you so much.
Donate »Sources
Documents
Have docs or info? Add information
Criminal case documents
Floodlit does not have a copy of a related probable cause affidavit. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.Civil case documents
Floodlit does not have a copy of a related civil complaint. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.Other documents
Floodlit does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.Add information
If someone you know was harmed by the person listed on this page, or if you would like us to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below. We will keep you anonymous. You can also contact us directly.