Crime: 2000s, 2010s,
Crime city:
UT - Provo,
Crime county:
UT - Utah,
Crime state:
Utah,
LDS positions: Unknown position, - LDS mission:
no
Alleged:
10 or more victims, Multiple victims,
Alleged crime scenes:
Public/hotel,
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, Prison, Registered sex offender,
Alleged church actions: Unknown church action,
updated May 11, 2026 - request update | add info
William Butcher was a Mormon church member in Provo, Utah.
Butcher turned himself in to police in 2013, three days before he was planning to begin a Mormon mission, and admitted to sexually abusing 12 boys and girls.
He pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse charges and was sentenced in 2014 to 18 years to life in prison.
As of 2025, Butcher lives in Provo, Utah.
Have any info on this Mormon sex abuse case? Contact us.
Sources
- Provo teen admits to sexually abusing 12 kids,
- Police: Utah man sexually abused at least 15 victims,
- Provo man who admitted to abusing 12 kids sent to prison,
- STATE OF UTAH vs. WILLIAM BUTCHER CASE NUMBER 131400381 State Felony,
- STATE OF UTAH vs. WILLIAM BUTCHER CASE NUMBER 131100211 State Felony,
- William Leonard Butcher,
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1. Provo teen admits to sexually abusing 12 kids
A 19-year-old Provo man turned himself into the police on Wednesday, telling them he had sexually abused a dozen children.
William Leonard Butcher was arrested on suspicion of 13 counts of sexual abuse of a child, four counts of forcible sexual abuse of a child, and sodomy on a child, all felonies.
He voluntarily came to the Provo Police Department on Wednesday morning and admitted to the abuse, which started when he was 14, according to the charges. He told police that his victims included boys and girls, as well as infants, and most of it happened when he was an adult.
The man also completed a voluntary written statement to the police about the abuse. Lt. Mathew Siufanua, spokesman for the department, could not speak as to why the Butcher came to them and admitted to the crimes.
He has been booked into Utah County Jail.
The man has no criminal history, according to a search of Utah court records. Police believe there may be more victims and are continuing to investigate Butcher's claims, Siufanua said.
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2. Police: Utah man sexually abused at least 15 victims
Provo police now suspect that William Leonard Butcher sexually abused at least 15 children, a long list of alleged crimes that Butcher volunteered to the police when he turned himself in.
Butcher, 19, walked into the Provo Police Department on Wednesday morning and admitted that he had abused 12 boys and girls, according to the charges filed upon his arrest. He told the police that the victims ranged from infants to teenagers, and while Butcher abused his first victim when he was 14, most of it happened when he was an adult, and as recently as last month.
But as of Thursday night, detectives had identified three more victims as they continue to investigate Butcher's claims, said Lt. Mathew Suifanua, spokesman for the department. And there could be more.
"The potential for other victims is probably high," Siufanua said.
Butcher told police that most of the alleged abuse occurred in Provo, though he also confessed to abusing one victim while on the drive back from a Boy Scout camp, another in a hotel near the Sanpete County Fair, and a third while on a trip in southern Utah.
In one instance, Butcher allegedly abused two girls who were 12 to 14 years old and who told their parents what happened. The parents confronted Butcher, who was 16, and told him not to do it again.
After his admission to police, Butcher was arrested and booked into Utah County jail on suspicion of 13 counts of sexual abuse of a child, four counts of forcible sexual abuse of a child, and sodomy on a child, all felonies. He remained in jail as of Friday afternoon, although he has not yet been charged in 4th District Court.
Siufanua didn't know why Butcher admitted to the alleged crimes.
Butcher has no criminal history, according to a search of Utah court records — not even a speeding ticket.
The Provo police are asking any other possible victims to call 801-852-6210 and speak with detectives.
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3. Provo man who admitted to abusing 12 kids sent to prison
A 21-year-old man who walked into the Provo police station over a year ago and admitted to sexually abusing a dozen children will spend at least 18 years — and possibly up to life — in the Utah State Prison.
William Butcher pleaded guilty in April in 4th District Court to nine felony charges, ranging from attempted aggravated sexual abuse of a child to forcible sodomy.
On Monday, a judge handed down nine prison sentences, and ordered them to run consecutively: five years to life for one count of forcible sodomy, four three-to-life sentences for four counts of attempted aggravated abuse of a child, one to 15 years for one charge of forcible sexual abuse, and two zero-to-five year sentences for two counts of attempted sexual abuse of a child.
Butcher was 19 years old when he walked into the police department last February and told officers he had groped or sexually abused 12 people, ranging from infants to a 19-year-old man. Butcher claimed he had abused his first victim when he was 14, according to charges, but much of the abuse happened when he was an adult.
According to a plea agreement, Butcher admitted that he had most recently abused someone a month before he turned himself into police — which was three days before he left to serve a mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Most of the abuse took place in Provo, according to the plea agreement. The victims ranged from an infant he babysat to a teenage boy he admitted to touching on a car-ride back from an Arizona Boy Scout camp.
According to court records, additional charges filed against the man were transferred to juvenile court because he was a minor at the time of those alleged offenses.
Butcher has no prior criminal history, according to a search of Utah court records.
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4. STATE OF UTAH vs. WILLIAM BUTCHER CASE NUMBER 131400381 State Felony
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT - PROVO DISTRICT COURT
UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
STATE OF UTAH vs. WILLIAM BUTCHER
CASE NUMBER 131400381 State FelonyCHARGES
Charge 1 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2007
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 2 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2007
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 3 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2007
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 4 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2008
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 5 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2008
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 6 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2011
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 7 - 76-5-403.1 - SODOMY ON A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2011
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 8 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 Transferred
05-11-2026 05:21 PM Page 1 of 4Charge 9 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 10 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 11 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 12 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 13 - 76-5-403(2) - FORCIBLE SODOMY - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 14 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 15 - 76-5-403(2) - FORCIBLE SODOMY - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 16 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 17 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 18 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 Transferred
05-11-2026 05:21 PM Page 2 of
CASE NUMBER: 131400381 State Felony4Charge 19 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 20 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 Transferred\Charge 21 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 22 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 23 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 TransferredCharge 24 - 76-5-404.1(4) - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Disposition: February 14, 2013 Transferred02-14-2013 Ruling Entry - ORDER OF TRANSFER
Judge: SAMUEL MCVEY
In accordance with a General Order of the Fourth District Court, effective immediately, the above listed Provo Case is transferred to the American Fork Department of the Fourth District Court located at 75 E. 80 N. Suite 202,American Fork, UT 84003.
All future pleadings shall be filed with the Clerk of Court at the American Fork location and should clearly be identified by Case #131100211.
Communication with the Court regarding this case shall be made through the clerks at the American Fork site. They can be reached at (801) 756-9654.
Date: __________________________________________________
Judge SAMUEL MCVEY
02-14-2013 Filed: Affidavit: No Warrant Arrest and Detention (Bail Set at$40,000 Cash Only) -
5. STATE OF UTAH vs. WILLIAM BUTCHER CASE NUMBER 131100211 State Felony
FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT - PROVO DISTRICT COURT
UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
STATE OF UTAH vs. WILLIAM BUTCHER
CASE NUMBER 131100211 State FelonyCHARGES
Charge 1 - 76-5-404.1(4) - ATTEMPTED - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1stDegree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2011
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 2 - 76-5-404.1(2) - ATTEMPTED - SEX ABUSE OF A CHILD - 3rd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2011
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 3 - 76-5-404.1(2) - ATTEMPTED - SEX ABUSE OF A CHILD - 3rd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 4 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 5 - 76-5-403(2) - FORCIBLE SODOMY - 1st Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 6 - 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 7 - 76-5-404.1(4) - ATTEMPTED - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1stDegree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 8 - 76-5-404.1(4) - ATTEMPTED - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1stDegree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltyCharge 9 - 76-5-404.1(4) - ATTEMPTED - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1stDegree Felony
Offense Date: April 20, 2012
Location: UTAH COUNTY
Plea: April 21, 2014 Guilty
Disposition: April 21, 2014 GuiltySENTENCE PRISON
Based on the defendant's conviction of ATTEMPTED AGGRAVATEDSEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD a 1st Degree Felony, the defendantis sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less thanthree years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
05-11-2026 05:32 PM Page 15 of
CASE NUMBER: 131100211 State Felony17Based on the defendant's conviction of ATTEMPTED SEX ABUSEOF A CHILD a 3rd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentencedto an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years in theUtah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of ATTEMPTED SEX ABUSEOF A CHILD a 3rd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentencedto an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years in theUtah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUALABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to anindeterminate term of not less than one year nor more thanfifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SODOMY a1st Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to anindeterminate term of not less than five years and whichmay be life in the Utah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of FORCIBLE SEXUALABUSE a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to anindeterminate term of not less than one year nor more thanfifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of ATTEMPTED AGGRAVATEDSEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD a 1st Degree Felony, the defendantis sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less thanthree years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of ATTEMPTED AGGRAVATEDSEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD a 1st Degree Felony, the defendantis sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less thanthree years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
Based on the defendant's conviction of ATTEMPTED AGGRAVATEDSEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD a 1st Degree Felony, the defendantis sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less thanthree years and which may be life in the Utah State Prison.
To the UTAH County Sheriff: The defendant is remanded toyour custody for transportation to the Utah State Prisonwhere the defendant will be confined.
SENTENCE PRISON CONCURRENT/CONSECUTIVE NOTE
The sentence is to run consecutive on each count.
SENTENCE RECOMMENDATION NOTE
The court recommends a fine in the amount of $1000. Thecourt recommends the defendant receive credit for timeserved of 503 days. -
6. William Leonard Butcher
Status : Active
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
DOB : 04/20/1993
Age : 32
Sex : Male
Height : 6'01''
Weight : 240
Race : White
Hair Color : Blonde
Eye Color : BrownOFFENSES
Offense : 76-5-404.1 - AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD-ATTEMPTED/1ST DEGREE FELONY (attempted)
Date Convicted : 06/23/2014
Conviction State : Utah
Statute : 76-5-404.1
Offense Count : 4
Offense : 76-5-404.1 - SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD-ATTEMPTED/3RD DEGREE (attempted)
Date Convicted : 06/23/2014
Conviction State : Utah
Statute : 76-5-404.1
Date Release : 02/09/2021
Offense Count : 2
Offense : 76-5-404 - FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE/2ND DEGREE FELONY
Date Convicted : 06/23/2014
Conviction State : Utah
Statute : 76-5-404
Offense Count : 2
Offense : 76-5-403 - FORCIBLE SODOMY/1ST DEGREE FELONY
Date Convicted : 06/23/2014
Conviction State : Utah
Statute : 76-5-403
Offense Count : 1REGISTRATION DETAILS
Collected From : Utah State Registry
ALIAS
William Leonard BUTCHER
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