David Neil Moss

Sources

1. Man arrested in undercover human trafficking investigation is an LDS bishop in Utah, KUTV, February 20, 2019.
2. 475: DESERET NEWS and KSL.COM: PROTECTORS OF THE LDS CHURCH NAME, Bare Record, February 20, 2019.
3. My wife and I attended the Lehi Mill Pond Ward today. That's the ward of Bishop David Moss, who was arrested this week in a human trafficking sting. Here is our report., Reddit, February 24, 2019.
4. Former LDS bishop from Lehi formally charged with sexual abuse, exploiting a prostitute, Provo Daily Herald, February 26, 2019.
5. Former LDS bishop from Lehi files to withdraw guilty plea to sexually abusing undercover officer, Provo Daily Herald, July 12, 2019.
6. Judge eases sentence on former LDS bishop convicted of exploiting a prostitute, Provo Daily Herald, October 22, 2019.
7. source 7, , March 20, 2026.

• 1. Man arrested in undercover human trafficking investigation is an LDS bishop in Utah

  • 20190220
  • News article
  • KUTV

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• 2. 475: DESERET NEWS and KSL.COM: PROTECTORS OF THE LDS CHURCH NAME

  • 20190220
  • News article
  • Bare Record

  • original
  • archived
  • back to list

• 3. My wife and I attended the Lehi Mill Pond Ward today. That's the ward of Bishop David Moss, who was arrested this week in a human trafficking sting. Here is our report.

  • 20190224
  • News article
  • Reddit

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• 4. Former LDS bishop from Lehi formally charged with sexual abuse, exploiting a prostitute

  • 20190226
  • News article
  • Provo Daily Herald

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• 5. Former LDS bishop from Lehi files to withdraw guilty plea to sexually abusing undercover officer

  • 20190712
  • News article
  • Provo Daily Herald

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• 6. Judge eases sentence on former LDS bishop convicted of exploiting a prostitute

  • 20191022
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  • Provo Daily Herald

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• 7. source 7

  • News article

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  A probable cause statement, dated 2019-02-19, reads in part:

  "On February 14, 2019, detectives with the Utah County Sheriff's Office and Special Victims Unit conducted a human trafficking
  operation in Lehi, Utah. During this operation, a detective put out messages on a social media app. The detective was then
  contacted by an individual who went by the name of Pilot. Pilot was later identified as David Moss. Moss exchanged messages
  with the undercover detective. They discussed the services such as kissing, touching and pleasure, that Moss was looking for.
  The undercover detective told Moss it was $150 for the hour. Moss agreed and told the UC detective that he would stop by alter
  work.

  Around the same time, another detective who was on the same social media app was contacted by Moss, who again was
  using the screen name of Pilot. Moss asked if she was “escorting" and this detective stated she was “learning the ropes." Moss
  then stated he was looking for girls to let him be their manager. He stated he has done this sort of thing in the past and he has a
  system that is "cutting edge" and avoids people getting caught. Moss stated he wanted to get together with her to explain it to
  her how he would manage her. He told the detective that there was a difference between a “pimp” and a “manager." The
  detective asked Moss what the benefit of having a manager was. Moss replied, "That's what we‘d discuss, but mainly when we
  work together I book and you entertain, I offer protection, I train you on how to act so we get repeat/regulars and higher
  paying. I also teach you how to stay out of jail. It's kinda cutting edge stuff that go against the norm but those that use it like it."
  The detective then asked if he has experience in doing this previously. Moss responded that he “ran" a couple girls before. Moss
  exclaimed that that the benefits of having a manager outweighed the cost. After seeing a picture sent by the undercover
  detectives, Moss replied that they both have the right look and asked how much she is charging. This second UC detective gave
  the rates as $60 for an hour, $100 for the full hour and $180 for the both of them. Moss then stated the they really needed to
  get together to talk about it.

  After speaking with the undercover detectives, Moss arrived at the location as agreed in the text messages. He arrived at the
  room and knocked on the door. The undercover(UC) female detective answered the door while the other UC female detective
  stayed in the room. Moss walked in and began talking to them about their business. The conversation was recorded with audio
  and video. Moss pulled out money from his pocket and showed it to the UC detectives. Moss put the money back in his pocket
  and exclaimed, "I am not opposed to paying."

  Moss started to talk to them about avoiding the police. Moss asked the first female UC detective if she knew what a “cop
  check" was. She stated no. Moss told her to stand up. Moss explained, while showing her, that when they hug, she needed to
  grab the male's hand and place it on her genitals. Moss then grabbed the detective's hand and put it on his genitals over his
  pants. Moss then unzipped his pants and pulled out his penis, exposing himself to the female UC detectives. The female UC
  detectives immediately became concerned and retreated to the bathroom. One of the decoys stated she locked the door which is
  something she had never done in previous undercover operations. The UC detective who was victimized stated that Moss forced
  her to put her hand on his penis. She stated that this was not consensual, unwelcome, and certainly was against her will.

  After the UC detectives went in the bathroom, Moss exited the room. He was met by officers from the UCSO Special Victims
  Task Force in the hall. It was discovered that Moss had a handgun in his pocket. When asked, Moss admitted that he was there
  for a business deal with the girls. Moss’ information was gathered and he was allowed to leave at that time. He was advised
  that charges would likely be filed in the future.

  0n 2/ 19/19, I met with David Moss outside of his home in Lehi UT. He agreed to speak with me without having an attorney present: 'Moss admitted to the chat messages but stated that it was not his intent to do anything illegal when he arrived at the
  location agreed upon. Moss also stated that he reread to prostitution statute after the incident and he admitted that there was
  “PC” to arrest him. Moss admitted that he took the female UC detective’s hand and placed it on his penis, over the clothes.
  Moss stated that he was “teaching her." He also admitted to taking his penis out of his pants and exposing himself to the two
  female UC detectives. He admitted to showing the money to the female UC detectives and telling them, “I am not opposed to
  paying for it."
  Moss admitted to writing the chats where he stated that he wanted to “manage” the girls as prostitutes. However, in the
  interview he said this was never his intent he just wanted to talk with them. Moss maintained this excuse even though I told him
  he was recorded on both audio and video explaining to the UC detectives how to avoid being arrested and the elements of the
  solicitation criminal code. This matched what he told the detectives in the chat messages when he told them what he could do
  for them if he was their “manager." Moss was cooperative to a degree. He admitted to making bad choices.

  In the chat messages, Moss stated that he had “run” other girls as prostitutes in the past. Moss was forced to resign from his
  position from the St. George Police Dept due to sexual misconduct allegations. Moss was a Lieutenant over the Vice Squad
  where he would have had access to vulnerable individuals that could be exploited. Moss has also served as a leader of a local
  religious congregation. This also placed Moss in a unique position of trust that allowed him access to vulnerable individuals that
  could be exploited. Moss denied that he had “run" any other girls. Moss was arrested and booked into jail on the following
  charges.

  Patronizing a Prostitute - The text messages between the first UC detective and Moss clearly indicate that it was his intention to
  pay for services when he arrived at the hotel room. The primary reason this did not happen was because Moss committed an act
  of Sexual Battery on the female UC detective, thus jeopardizing their safety and ending this encounter. However, when queried,
  Moss admitted that he was there for a business meeting with the two women. Moss also told the UC detectives after showing
  them the money, “I am not opposed to paying.” This confirms his intent based on the information provided in the text
  messages.

  Exploiting Prostitution- The text messages between the second UC detective and Moss clearly state that Moss intended to strike
  up a business deal with the UC detective and exploit her as a prostitute. He stated he would protect her, make her
  appointments, teach her how to get regular/higher paying customers, and instruct her how to stay out of jail among other things.
  This last comment is especially troubling based on the fact that Moss is a retired law enforcement officer. The text messages
  between Moss and the UC detective leave no doubt as to his intent to exploit her as a prostitute. Moss admitted that he was
  there for a business meeting with the two women. In the conversation with the undercover detectives, Moss actually discussed
  some of the elements of prostitution criminal statutory code with the undercover detective. This confirms his intent based on the
  information provided in the text messages.

  Sexual Battery- Shortly after arriving at the hotel room, under the guise of doing a "cop check", Moss grabbed the female UC
  detective's hand AND forcibly put her hand on his genitals. This action was not consensual, NOT welcomed, and was done by
  force. The female detective was so alarmed by this forcible sex assault that she locked the bathroom door, something that she
  had not done previously in all of her other undercover operations.

  Lewdness X 2 - After forcing the female UC detective to touch his penis over his clothes, Moss unzipped his pants and exposed
  his penis to the two female UC detectives. Moss admitted these actions when interviewed this afternoon."

  --

  from Moss's sentencing document filed with the Utah court system:

  "The Order of the Court is stated below:
  Dated:
  October 23, 2019 01:17:47 PM
  At the direction of:
  /s/ ROGER W GRIFFIN District Court Judge
  by
  4TH DISTRICT CT - AF
  UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH ______________________________________________________________________________________
  STATE OF UTAH,
  Plaintiff,
  vs.
  DAVID MOSS,
  Defendant.
  ______________________________________________________________________________________
  PRESENT
  Clerk: feil
  Prosecutor: HOLLAN, CARL
  Defendant Present
  Defendant's Attorney(s): RUSSELL, STEVEN C
  DEFENDANT INFORMATION
  Date of birth: March 22, 1967
  Audio
  Tape Number: 1 Tape Count: 9.42/12.27
  CHARGES
  1. FORCIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE - 2nd Degree Felony
  - Disposition: 06/18/2019 Dismissed w/ Prejudi 2. EXPLOITING A PROSTITUTE - 3rd Degree Felony
  Plea: Guilty - Disposition: 06/18/2019 Guilty
  3. PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTE (amended) - Class A Misdemeanor
  Plea: Guilty - Disposition: 10/22/2019 Guilty 4. SEXUAL BATTERY (amended) - Class A Misdemeanor
  - Disposition: 10/22/2019 Dismissed w/ Prejudi
  HEARING
  This matter comes before the court for sentencing. Discussion ensues on briefs files by parties. The Court will move forward with sentencing for the 3rd degree felony and the amended class A misdemeanor charge. Parties to discuss a possible resolution. Recess.
  : MINUTES
  : SENTENCE, JUDGMENT, COMMITMENT
  :
  : Case No: 191100251 FS
  : Judge: ROGER W GRIFFIN
  : Date: October 22, 2019

  Case No: 191100251
  Date: Oct 22, 2019

  10.17 This matter is recalled. The parties have stipulated for the defendant to withdraw his No Contest plea to Sexual Battery, a class A misdemeanor, and plead Guilty to an amended charge of Patronizing a Prostitute, a class A misdemeanor. The parties stipulated motion to allow the Defendant to withdraw his plea to the charge of Sexual Battery is granted. Defendant is advised of rights and penalties, including enhancement to future offenses and acknowledges understanding. Defendant waives right to a preliminary hearing and jury trial. The Defendant enters a Guilty plea to Patronizing a Prostitute 76-10-1313(2), a class A misdemeanor. The Court accepts the plea after a factual basis is given. The Court finds that the defendant has knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally entered the pleas and the Court receives the same. Defendant waives time for sentencing.
  Mr Russell presents issues with the pre-sentence report now that Count 2 is amended. The Court discusses with parties if pre-sentence report needs to be updated. Discussion ensues.
  10.49 Parties presents arguments on errors on the pre-sentence report per filed memo.
  12.27 The Court present its findings and imposes a sentence and deviates upwards from the sentencing guidelines, which only recommends probation.

  The defendant has 30 days to appeal the sentence. The Court advises that if the sentence is appealed and representation is desired the Court will appoint counsel upon qualification.

  SENTENCE PRISON

  Based on the defendant's conviction of EXPLOITING A PROSTITUTE a 3rd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years in the Utah State Prison.

  The prison term is suspended.

  Based on the defendant's conviction of PATRONIZING A PROSTITUTE a Class A Misdemeanor, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term not to exceed one year in the Utah State Prison with a credit for one day.

  The prison term is suspended.

  Case No: 191100251 Date: Oct 22, 2019

  SENTENCE JAIL
  SENTENCE JAIL SERVICE NOTE
  Defendant to serve 53 days on AP&P GPS starting 10/23/2019 to 12/14/2019. Defendant is to report to the Utah County Jail for a 90 day commitment on December 15, 2019. Good time allowed.
  SENTENCE FINE
  Charge # 2
  Charge # 3
  Fine:
  Suspended:
  Surcharge:
  Due:
  Fine:
  Suspended:
  Surcharge:
  Due:
  $43.00 $0.00 $43.00 $43.00
  $43.00 $0.00 $43.00 $43.00
  Total Fine:
  Total Suspended: $0
  Total Surcharge: $86.00 Total Principal Due: $86.00
  Plus Interest
  Defendant is to pay a fine of 86.00 which includes the surcharge. Interest may
  increase the final amount due.
  Fine payments are to be made to Adult Probation and Parole. The fine is to be paid in full by 10/22/2022.
  SENTENCE FINE SUSPENDED NOTE
  Fines are waived. $43 court security fee for each count

  ORDER OF PROBATION

  The defendant is placed on probation for 36 month(s). Probation is to be supervised by Adult Probation and Parole. Defendant to serve 143 day(s) jail.

  Case No: 191100251 Date: Oct 22, 2019

  Defendant is to report to Adult Probation and Parole(AP&P) main office in Provo by 4 pm tomorrow, be placed on GPS, enter into an agreement, pay supervision fees, and comply strictly with the terms of probation.
  Defendant is to obey all laws and have no further violations during probation period, outside of minor traffic violations.
  Defendant is to notify the court, counsel, and Adult Probation & Parole of a current address at all times, and report to the court and/or Adult Probation & Parole when requested or a warrant may issue during probation.
  Defendant to notify Adult Probation and Parole and counsel of a current phone number at all times.
  Defendant to provide employer contact information to Adult Probation and Parole and counsel during probation.
  Defendant to provide truly heartfelt letters of apology to the two undercover cops to be completed within 30 days of release and are to be filed as private with the court. Defendant is to be full-time employed within 4 months of release.
  Defendant to complete a psychosexual and a mental health evaluation within 60 days of release, if already done, provide proof to AP&P.
  Defendant is to successfully complete within 8 months of evaluation any treatment and/or aftercare recommended from the psychosexual evaluation and if any, to be mental health treatment compliant throughout the duration of probation.
  Defendant to comply with Interstate Compact requirements.
  Defendant is to abide by the Group B Sex Offender Registry requirements.
  If not included in the Group B requirements, Defendant is not to have access to the internet and/or social media without prior written approval by AP&P and all treatment providers.
  Defendant is to not have any church callings where the youth is involved.
  Defendant is not to be a mentor/advisor/coach to youth in any capacity.
  Defendant is not to use, abuse or possess alcohol/marijuana/THC or frequent places where alcohol/marijuana/THC is being used or is the chief item of sale.
  Defendant to take all medications (prescription or over the counter) as directed and notify probation agent and treatment provider of them.
  Defendant can only use medical marijuana pursuant to Utah state law.
  Defendant is to abstain from possessing or using any other substance which would impair the mind or body functions except as prescribed by a physician, and remain medication compliant.
  Defendant is to sign a HIPAA form(s) for information to be released to Adult Probation and Parole and/or treatment providers regarding any prescribed medications.
  Defendant is to report to AP&P within 24 hours of release or the next business day.

  Case No: 191100251 Date: Oct 22, 201

  SENTENCE PROBATION SERVICE NOTE
  Defendant is to report to AP&P by 4 pm tomorrow to be placed on GPS until he reports to the Utah County Jail for commitment."