Timothy O’Sean McCleve

Sources

1. excerpt from police probable cause affidavit, Utah Xchange, January 1, 2023.
2. Police say former ward bishop used position to molest girls, Salt Lake Tribune, March 27, 2007.
3. Former LDS bishop pleads guilty to sex abuse, KSL, September 24, 2008.
4. Former LDS bishop sentenced for child sex abuse - Salt Lake Tribune - 2008-12-17, Salt Lake Tribune, December 17, 2008.
5. Ex-bishop in Harrisville gets prison for sex abuse, Deseret News, December 17, 2008.
6. Former LDS bishop sentenced for molesting young girls, KSL, December 17, 2008.
7. Ex-bishop quoted Bible verses in attempt to intimidate a witness, charges say, KSL, July 11, 2024.
8. STATE OF UTAH vs. TIMOTHY MCCLEVE CASE NUMBER 111902617, Utah Court Records, April 5, 2011.

• 1. excerpt from police probable cause affidavit

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  • Utah Xchange

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  [redacted by FLOODLIT; warning: contains graphic/disturbing content]

  "The statement of [victim], that in approximately 1994, when she was 7 years old, [...] defendant TIMOTHY MCCLEVE, would come to her residence in West Valley City, Salt Lake County. [Victim] states that the defendant would take her in his vehicle and let her sit on his lap an [sic] steer the vehicle. [Victim] states that while on the defendant's lap he would touch her thigh and vaginal area over the clothes. [Victim] states that on another occasion the defendant was at her residence and took her into a bedroom. [Victim] states that the defendant pulled up her night gown and 'played down there.'"

• 2. Police say former ward bishop used position to molest girls

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  • Salt Lake Tribune

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  As the one-time bishop of the local LDS ward, lots of people in Harrisville know Timothy O'Sean McCleve.

  Residents turned to him for guidance and counseling and trusted him. Police say he used that trust to gain access to three sisters he is accused of molesting.

  McCleve was charged Monday - his 51st birthday - with three counts of forcible sex abuse. The charges, filed in 2nd District Court in Ogden, carry a possible sentence of life in prison.

  And more charges might follow. Harrisville police Chief Max Jackson said detectives there learned during their investigation that Ogden police had opened a case on McCleve.

  Jackson said an Ogden investigator has e-mails between McCleve and a girl who was a teenager when McCleve was her bishop suggesting the two had a sexual relationship.

  McCleve, who went by "Sean," served as bishop until sometime in 2004, Jackson said. The chief was a member of his congregation.

  Jackson said McCleve maintained friendships and positions of trust within Harrisville, including with one family who had girls ages 6, 8 and 12. McCleve knew when the parents were away, Jackson said, and would come over to visit the children.

  "He just kind of drops in, and is just friendly with the children," Jackson said.

  Only older children were around to supervise, Jackson said, and that's when McCleve molested the three girls.

  The abuse began in July 2006, Jackson said. Then earlier this month, the girls were watching a news report about a Riverton teacher who was arrested on suspicion of child molestation.

  "The kids were watching the news, and just kind of off the cuff one of the children, a little gal, made a disclosure to her parents," Jackson said.

  Two other girls told their parents similarly stories about McCleve abusing them, Jackson said.

• 3. Former LDS bishop pleads guilty to sex abuse

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  • KSL

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  A former LDS Bishop in Harrisville has pleaded guilty to molesting children from his church ward. Originally Timothy McCleve pleaded not guilty to several sex abuse charges, but later he struck a deal with prosecutors.

  It's a mystery why McCleve changed his mind, but we know victims were ready to testify in a trial.

  In March 2007, McCleve molested three sisters from his ward. The little girls were abused in their home when their parents were gone. The girls came forward after seeing media reports of sexual abuse involving school teacher Frank Lane Hall.

  After that a fourth victim came forward, a 21-year-old college student that used to be McCleve's neighbor. She says he abused her when she was 6.
  Former LDS bishop pleads guilty to sex abuse

  So, is his guilty plea justice for his victims? Harrisville Police Chief Max Jackson said, "We're certainly glad it's come to a conclusion, at least thus far, especially for the victims and their families."

  The victims' parents were in court today but did not want to make a statement. They may speak at McCleve's sentencing, which is scheduled at the end of November.

  McCleve faces a maximum of 30 years behind bars for the crime.

• 4. Former LDS bishop sentenced for child sex abuse - Salt Lake Tribune - 2008-12-17

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  • Salt Lake Tribune

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  A former Harrisville LDS bishop who sexually molested three Weber County sisters -- whom he frequently visited at home while their parents were away -- was sentenced Wednesday to prison for up to 30 years.

  Timothy O'Sean McCleve, 53, got the maximum sentence from 2nd District Judge Ernie Jones, who ordered two counts of second-degree felony sexual abuse of a child to run consecutively.

  Defense attorney Randall Skeen asked for probation and a year in jail, citing McCleve's "extensive record of community service," as well a psycho-sexual evaluation indicating McCleve was "treatable and manageable within the community."

  But the judge rejected that option because of the number of victims.

  McCleve used his influence as a one-time bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to visit the three sisters -- ages 6, 8 and 12 at the time of the abuse -- and molest them, according to charging documents.

  Also, a 21-year-old woman came forward to say McCleve had abused her as a 6-year-old child.

  The abuse of the sisters began in July 2006, Harrisville Police Chief Max Jackson has previously told The Salt Lake Tribune.

  In March 2007, one of the girls reported the abuse to her parents while watching a news report about a Riverton teacher arrested on suspicion of child molestation. The other two girls then verified their sister's story, Jackson said.

  McCleve was initially charged with three counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Prosecutors later added a fourth count of second-degree sexual abuse of a child after the 21-year-old said she also was abused as a child.

  In September, McCleve pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a child and the other counts were dismissed.

  McCleve was a bishop until 2004, according to Jackson, who was a member of McCleve's ward. Most LDS bishops serve for about five years.

  Skeen noted that the parents of the three girls were "extremely gracious" toward McCleve during the sentencing hearing.

  According to Skeen, the girls' father told the judge: "I love him like a brother. I don't hate him. But we do need to protect my daughters."

• 5. Ex-bishop in Harrisville gets prison for sex abuse

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  • Deseret News

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  OGDEN — His lips trembling and barely able to speak, Timothy O'Sean McCleve looked across the courtroom at the mother of his victims.

  "From the deepest part of my heart I am truly sorry," he said.

  McCleve was sentenced Wednesday to a pair of one-to-15 year prison terms after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony. McCleve was the former bishop of the Harrisville LDS Church ward that the girls he sexually abused attended. Police said he would often stop by their home while their parents were away.

  "He does admit the allegations. He pleaded guilty because he was guilty," McCleve's attorney, Randall Skeen, told the judge.

  McCleve, 53, sought probation and said in court he had already been attending therapy sessions. That therapist reported he was treatable and didn't believe he was a predator, Skeen said.

  "We're not dealing with a terrible, awful human being," he said Wednesday. "We're dealing with a human being that did some terrible, awful things."

  Weber County prosecutors took exception, saying that others have come forward to say they were sexually abused by McCleve going back as far as 15 years ago.

  "The position the defendant used to gain access is so absolutely deplorable," prosecutor Bill Daines said.

  Speaking to the judge, McCleve sought to "put right what I have done wrong."

  "I recognize and accept full responsibility of my actions. I am the owner of them and the man responsible for them," he said.

  For their part, the family of the three girls victimized said they do not hate him — but asked for him to be put in prison.

  "However, we do not want him to be able to hurt others with his sickness," the victims' mother said. "This has made our girls feel trapped and ashamed for the last 21 months, when it should be him having those feelings and not the victims."

  She said that since McCleve has been free pending sentencing, her daughters have felt withdrawn, suicidal and full of anger. One still could not face him in court, she said.

  Still, she said, they pray for McCleve, too.

  "I still have no anger towards him," the girls' father said. "I love him still."

  In sentencing McCleve, Judge Ernie Jones noted that the sex abuse happened repeatedly, with one girl being victimized a dozen times, another 14 times. Two others had come forward reporting abuse dating back to 1977.

  "These kids are scarred for life," he told McCleve.

  Addressing McCleve's one-time ecclesiastical status, he said: "They looked up to you."

  As the sentencing wrapped up, a man interrupted court by applauding as handcuffs were slapped on McCleve. Outside court, the victims' family hugged each other.

• 6. Former LDS bishop sentenced for molesting young girls

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  • KSL

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  A former bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three young girls in his Harrisville ward, cried today as he was sentenced for his crimes.

  But the emotion Timothy McCleve showed wasn't enough to get a lighter sentence: He will spend two to 30 years in prison for molesting the three sisters.

  There were no apologies for the cameras, but in court it was a different story. With his lip quivering, Timothy McCleve told the parents of three girls he abused that he was deeply sorry.

  The mother, equally emotional, said, "We want to say that we do not hate the defendant, nor do we wish him harm. However, we do not want him to be able to hurt others with his sickness. He has been free all this time while they [the victims] have been withdrawn, suicidal and full of anger."

  While he was an LDS bishop, McCleve sexually abused three sisters from his ward. The molestations took place more than a dozen times in their home.

  In September, McCleve pleaded guilty. This afternoon, Judge Ernie Jones had to weigh two very different recommendations on the bishop's fate.

  The defense pushed for probation and presented a report from a psycho-sexual doctor saying McCleve's condition is treatable. But the prosecution wasn't going for it, and argued that McCleve abused five victims over a period of several years.

  The other victims are now adults and came forward after the Harrisville sisters did. Despite all the emotion today, in the end, a bailiff handcuffed the former bishop and took him to prison.

  At one point during the sentencing, the father of the victims actually wanted to physically approach McCleve to reassure him that the family still cares for him and holds no ill well against him.

• 7. Ex-bishop quoted Bible verses in attempt to intimidate a witness, charges say

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  • KSL

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  ST. GEORGE — A St. George man who served 15 years in prison for sexually abusing two girls while he was their bishop in Harrisville, Weber County, has now been charged with threatening a witness in a parole violation investigation by quoting Bible verses to her.

  Timothy Osean McCleve, 69, has been charged with retaliation against a witness, victim or informant, a third-degree felony.

  McCleve is currently under investigation for possibly violating the conditions of his parole and the conditions for being on the Utah Sex Offender and Kidnap Registry by "speaking to children he was not supposed to be interacting with," according to a police booking affidavit.

  In June, McCleve learned a woman who lives in his neighborhood is a witness to the suspected parole violation being investigation by Adult Probation and Parole. Just an hour after learning the woman was a witness, McCleve went to her house to find out more about the investigation, the affidavit states.

  "Timothy then began reading Bible scriptures (Deuteronomy) to her that spoke specifically about witnesses who shall face the same punishment as the sinner," according to the affidavit.

  The officer taking the report researched Deuteronomy and noted, "There is a verse within Deuteronomy that speaks about witnesses making false claims and the punishment they should face. (The woman) said during their contact, Timothy also secretly took photos of her," the affidavit alleges.

  Police say the woman "is devoutly religious (and) believed Timothy was doing this to intimidate her after finding out she was a witness."

  When officers questioned McCleve, he "admitted he believed the investigation was still active as he is currently wearing an ankle monitor due to the investigation. Timothy admitted to speaking to (the woman) about his investigation even though she did not ask about his investigation nor did she request to visit with him. Timothy admitted to reading Bible scriptures to (her) regarding those who 'cast the first stone' but did not have valid reason for doing so considering he has never done that before with her," according to the arrest report.

  The witness "expressed great fear for her safety after her interaction with Timothy as she is not sure of everything he is capable of doing to include physically hurting her or family," the affidavit says.

  In 2008, McCleve pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, for repeatedly sexually abusing two girls while he was their Latter-day Saint bishop, although prosecutors say there were three victims. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison.

  While at the Utah State Prison, another victim who was abused in 1994 by McCleve came forward. He was charged in 2011 with two more counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two more terms of one to 15 years in prison. Those sentences were ordered to be served consecutive to each other and to his previous sentence.

  McCleve was granted parole in June 2023. Had he served the maximum time, it would have expired in 2063, according to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole's website. The board of pardons issued a warrant for his arrest the day after he was arrested by St. George police.

  McCleve has a resolution hearing for his latest charge scheduled for July 23.

• 8. STATE OF UTAH vs. TIMOTHY MCCLEVE CASE NUMBER 111902617

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  • Utah Court Records

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  THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT - SALT LAKE COUNTY DISTRICT COURT
  SALT LAKE COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
  STATE OF UTAH vs. TIMOTHY MCCLEVE
  CASE NUMBER 111902617 State Felony

  CHARGES

  Charge 1 - 76-6-404.1 - SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony (amended to) - 2nd Degree Felony
  Offense Date: January 01, 1994
  Location: SOUTH BEEHIVE DRIVE
  Plea: August 15, 2011 Guilty
  Disposition: August 15, 2011 Guilty

  Charge 2 - 76-6-404.1 - SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD - 1st Degree Felony (amended to) - 2nd Degree Felony
  Offense Date: January 01, 1994
  Location: SOUTH BEEHIVE DRIVE
  Plea: August 15, 2011 Guilty
  Disposition: August 15, 2011 Guilty

  CURRENT ASSIGNED JUDGE
  PAUL B PARKER
  PARTIES
  Plaintiff - STATE OF UTAH
  Defendant - TIMOTHY MCCLEVE
  Represented by: MICHAEL MISNER
  DEFENDANT INFORMATION
  Defendant Name: TIMOTHY MCCLEVE
  Offense Tracking Number: 17449588
  Date of Birth: March 26, 1955

  Law Enforcement Agency: WEST VALLEY POLICE
  LEA Case Number: 11i006737
  Prosecuting Agency: SALT LAKE COUNTY
  Agency Case Number: 11007640
  Violation Date: 01-01-1994
  ACCOUNT SUMMARY
  CASE NOTE
  DAO #11007640
  PROCEEDINGS
  DATE SEQ EVENT
  04-05-2011 Case filed by heidivt
  04-05-2011 Filed: From an Information
  04-05-2011 1 Filed: Information
  04-05-2011 Note: Case filed by Officer Boardman - WVCPD, Defendant in Utah
  10-02-2026 08:05 PM Page 1 of 5
  State Prison/Warrant faxed to Prison.
  04-06-2011 INITIAL APPEARANCE/PRISON scheduled on April 13, 2011 at08:30 AM in FAC - S31 with Judge KATIE BERNARDS-GOODMAN
  04-06-2011 Note: Deft is in Utah State Prison - court date arranged thruDarlene @ USP
  04-06-2011 Judge KATIE BERNARDS-GOODMAN assigned.
  04-08-2011 Note: OTN supplied by Darlene @ Utah State Prison
  04-13-2011 Judge ROBIN W REESE assigned.
  04-13-2011 SCHEDULING CONF scheduled on April 19, 2011 at 02:00 PMwith Judge L A DEVER
  04-13-2011 Minute Entry - Minutes for Appointment of Counsel
  Judge: KATIE BERNARDS-GOODMAN

  PRESENT
  Prosecutor: COLBY, MICHAEL S
  Defendant Present
  Clerk: deborahw
  Video
  Tape Number: S31 Tape Count: 8:44
  INITIAL APPEARANCE
  Defendant waives reading of Information.
  Advised of charges and penalties.

  APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL
  Court finds the defendant indigent and appoints Salt Lake Legal Defenders to represent the defendant.
  Appointed Counsel:
  Name: Salt Lake Legal Defenders
  Address: 424 East 500 South Suite #101
  City: Salt Lake City UT 84111
  Phone: 532-5444
  Affidavit of indigency has been completed by the defendant
  SCHEDULING CONF is scheduled.
  Date: 04/19/2011
  Time: 02:00 p.m.
  Location: To Be Determined
  Before Judge: L A DEVER
  Third District Court
  450 South State
  Salt Lake City, UT 84111
  04-15-2011 2 Filed: Affidavit of Indigency filed and approved by Judge Bernards-Goodman
  04-19-2011 3 Filed: Appearance of Counsel
  04-19-2011 4 Filed: Formal Request for Discovery Pursuant to Rule 16of the Rules of Criminal Procedure
  04-19-2011 5 Filed: Notice of Bond Hearing
  04-19-2011 Minute Entry - Minutes for SCHEDULING CONFERENCE
  Judge: DENISE P LINDBERG
  PRESENT
  Prosecutor: COLLINS, CHOU CHOU
  Defendant Present
  Defendant's Attorney(s): MISNER, MICHAEL D
  Clerk: terryb
  Tape Number: W 49 Tape Count: 2.59
  HEARING
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  CASE NUMBER: 111902617 State Felony5
  Defendant was transported from the Utah State Prison
  Case to be set for Scheduling Conference before the assigned Judge.
  SCHEDULING CONF is scheduled.
  Date: 05/16/2011
  Time: 02:00 p.m.
  Location: Third Floor - S32
  Before Judge: ROBIN W. REESE
  Third District Court
  450 South State
  SLC, UT 84114-1860
  04-19-2011 SCHEDULING CONF scheduled on May 16, 2011 at 02:00 PM inTHIRD FLOOR - S32 with Judge ROBIN W REESE
  04-19-2011 Note: SCHEDULING CONFERENCE minutes modified.
  05-16-2011 DISPOSITION HEARING scheduled on June 27, 2011 at 09:00AM in THIRD FLOOR - S32 with Judge ROBIN W REESE
  05-16-2011 Minute Entry - Minutes for SCHEDULING CONFERENCE
  Judge: ROBIN W. REESE
  PRESENT
  Prosecutor: BURMESTER, BYRON F
  Defendant Present
  Defendant's Attorney(s): MISNER, MICHAEL D
  Clerk: marlened
  Video
  Tape Number: S-32 Tape Count: 2:32

  HEARING
  ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION - COURT ORDERED CASE SCHEDULED FOR DISPOSITION HEARING
  DISPOSITION HEARING is scheduled.
  Date: 06/27/2011
  Time: 09:00 a.m.
  Location: Third Floor - S32
  Before Judge: ROBIN W. REESE
  Third District Court
  450 South State
  SLC, UT 84114-1860
  06-27-2011 Minute Entry - Minutes for DISPOSITION HEARING
  Judge: ROBIN W. REESE
  PRESENT
  Prosecutor: DICKINSON, ANITA E
  Defendant Present
  Defendant's Attorney(s): MISNER, MICHAEL D
  Clerk: marlened
  Video
  Tape Number: S-32 Tape Count: 11:34

  HEARING
  ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION - COURT ORDERED HEARING BE RESCHEDULED
  DISPOSITION HEARING.
  Date: 08/15/2011
  Time: 09:00 a.m.
  Location: Third Floor - S32
  Before Judge: ROBIN W. REESE
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  CASE NUMBER: 111902617 State Felony5
  Third District Court
  450 South State
  SLC, UT 84114-1860
  06-27-2011 DISPOSITION HEARING scheduled on August 15, 2011 at09:00 AM in THIRD FLOOR - S32 with Judge ROBIN W REESE
  08-15-2011 9 Filed: Signed SJC
  08-15-2011 Case Closed
  Disposition Judge is ROBIN W REESE
  08-15-2011 Charge 1 Disposition is Guilty
  08-15-2011 Charge 2 Disposition is Guilty
  08-15-2011 Charge 1 amended to 2nd Degree Felony
  08-15-2011 Charge 2 amended to 2nd Degree Felony
  08-15-2011 Minute Entry - Minutes for Change of Plea
  Judge: ROBIN W. REESE
  PRESENT
  Prosecutor: BURMESTER, BYRON F
  Defendant Present
  Defendant's Attorney(s): MISNER, MICHAEL D
  Clerk: marianad
  Audio
  Tape Number: W33 Tape Count: 10:22
  A copy of the Information is given to the defendant.
  Court advises defendant of rights and penalties.
  Defendant waives time for sentence.
  Change of Plea Note
  Court ordered Counts 1 and 2 to be amended to 2nddegree felony upon defendant guilty plea on both counts.

  HEARING
  TAPE: W33 COUNT: 10:22
  Court ordered Defendant to pay full restitution,State has 90 day to determine amount.

  SENTENCE PRISON
  Based on the defendant's conviction of SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than one year nor more than fifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
  Based on the defendant's conviction of SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD a 2nd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than one year nor more than fifteen years in the Utah State Prison.
  To the SALT LAKE County Sheriff: The defendant is remanded to your custody for transportation to the Utah State Prison where the defendant will be confined.

  SENTENCE PRISON CONCURRENT/CONSECUTIVE NOTE
  court ordered counts 1 and 2 to run consecutive,Also court ordered sentence to run consecutive to other cases.

  08-16-2011 6 Filed: Amended Information
  08-16-2011 7 Filed: Statement of Defendant in support of guilty plea
  08-17-2011 Note: CHANGE OF PLEA minutes modified.
  01-06-2012 8 Filed: REPORT FROM KATHERINE PETERS, DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY - VICTIM NOTIFIED THAT THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE RESTITUTION. NO BILLINGS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.THEREFORE, UNABLE TO REQUEST RESTITUTION.
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  CASE NUMBER: 111902617 State Felony5
  02-13-2015 Judge PAUL B PARKER assigned.
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  CASE NUMBER: 111902617 State Felony5