Robert Berchtold (1936 – 2005) was a Mormon church member in Idaho; sexually abused a child; in 1986, was found guilty of rape of a child and spent one year in jail.

In January 1974, a Mormon stake high council disciplined Bob Berchtold for his involvement with “another young girl,” perhaps not his main abuse victim.

Berchtold had tried to victimize at least a half-dozen other young girls in that era and had been reprimanded by the LDS church in 1974. While we don’t know what that reprimand consisted of, it wasn’t an excommunication.

The Netflix documentary/series: Abducted in Plain Sight covers Berchtold’s story.

FLOODLIT has received a report from someone who knew Berchtold. The source said Berchtold spent seven years working at the Las Vegas Nevada Mormon temple as an ordinance worker and that he was a bishopric counselor for some time.

Berchtold allegedly had at least seven victims.

Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.

As an independent newsroom, FLOODLIT relies on your generous support to make thousands of reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon church available. If you find our work helpful, please consider donating! Thank you so much for helping us shine a light.

Search the FLOODLIT Database

Share this page https://floodlit.org/a/a023/

Mar. 11, 2026: Floodlit needs your help to keep our database live as we prepare to release a report you won't want to miss. Please donate and tell a friend! Thank you so much for your support!

Sources

  1. Robert Berchtold - obituary, , March 20, 2026.
  2. Why Didn’t Robert Berchtold Of 'A Friend Of The Family' Serve Significant Jail Time? - Oxygen, , March 20, 2026.
  3. Abducted in Plain Sight - Netflix, , March 20, 2026.
  4. The Role Mormon Religion Plays In 'Abducted In Plain Sight' - Forbes, , March 20, 2026.

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.

Timeline

  • 1936
    Born

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.

Other Mormon sex abuse cases