was a Mormon church member in Colorado; pleaded guilty to charges of child sexual abuse on multiple occasions; sentenced in 2008 to two consecutive terms of 10 years to life in prison; later sentenced to 36 more years to life

class="case-summary-title">Facts

Summary

Brett Candelaria was a Mormon church member in Colorado.

In the 1980s, as a teenager, Candelaria was accused of sexual assault by a young boy. It was reported to police, but no criminal charges were ever filed.

In late 1992, allegations were again brought against him for molestation of three boys ages 9, 10, and 13. Candelaria pleaded guilty to four counts of abuse with a minor.

In 1997, more allegations of sexual abuse came from two boys ages 6 and 8.

From 2002 forward occurred Candelaria’s most serious legal charge after he took in a 14 year old boy. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of custodial interference, but for reasons that are not clear from court records, the boy was allowed to stay with him, according to the Denver Post.

In January 2008, to boys ages 13 and 14 told police that they were molested by Candelaria. They told “how Candelaria had befriended their family at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How he had gained the trust of
their family. How he wowed them with his collection of pristine Hot Wheels cars, with his Xbox 360 and his PlayStation

On January 18, 2008, criminal charges were filed against Candelaria.

In March 2008, another boy came forward stating that Candelaria had abused him.

On September 5, 2008, prosecutors filed 15 separate counts against Candelaria. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 10 years to life in prison.

In his next trial, Candelaria was sentenced to an additional 36 years to life.

Images/photos

Sources

  1. Denver DA thinks molester had more victims
    view source details | 7 Mar 2009 | Denver Post
  2. Child molester Brett Candelaria: The nightmare next door
    view source details | 15 Aug 2009 | Denver Post
  3. Congregations informed of alleged abuse by priests
    view source details | 17 Dec 2014 | Bishop Accountability (original: Daily Times, Farmington, New Mexico)

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 by LDS church position, number of victims, places where crimes took place, criminal/civil case results, and other criteria.

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.

 

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