was a Mormon church member and boy scout leader in Salt Lake City, Utah; accused of sexual abuse in 1987; convicted in 1993 and 1998 in separate cases of child sexual abuse; reportedly, the local Mormon bishop became aware of the abuse but didn't take any church disciplinary action

Case Summary

This case arose in Utah in 1987.

Robert David Stillwell was placed in the BSA confidential files on July 23, 1987.

On August 5, 1987, K. Hart Bullock, Scout Executive, Great Salt lake Council writes a letter to BSA Paul Ernst:

“Dear Paul,

I am enclosing a confidential record sheet on Robert David Stillwell of Salt Lake City, Utah. It is my feeling that Mr. Stillwell should not be involved in the Boy Scout program. He was brought to my attention by the father of a 13 year old boy who observed some very unnatural interest that Mr. Stillwell was demonstrating toward his boy and several of his friends. In checking with Mr. Stillwell’s LDS Bishop, I find that he has been accused of sexually molesting a boy by the boy and the boy’s mother, but denied any such activity I have visited with his LDS Bishop and he assured me that they would remove him from the Scouting program and any involvement with youth.” ” Have received complaints from a Scoutmaster of another troop and a father of a 13 year old boy that Robert Stillwell has and is showing unusual attention to his son and 3 other boys, l.e. inviting them to movies” ….and “on a week long trip to Catalina Island.” Stillwell registration for LDS scouting sent but rejected by BSA in 1988 and 1991 .

On October 23, 1991, there is a letter from Lloyd T Anderson in the BSA files, Stake President to Elder Lybbert, Area President Asia Area Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Central Hong Kong regarding Robert Stillwell is in the BSA Confidential files. “1 am writing to provide you confidential information which suggests that Church disciplinary action against Brother Stillwell is indicated.”.,, “In Approximately 1987, Robert Stillwell was a member of the Central Park Ward, South Salt Lake, Utah Stake. For approximately one year, he served as a counselor in the Young Men’s presidency and as an assistant scout master During this time period, suggestions of problems with Brother Stillwell and the young men he was involved with were first raised by a mother of a young man in the Haven ward… the son was questioned but did not admit to any improper actions on the part of Brother Stillwell.

Later that same year, . . . .parents notified scout headquarters of their concerns. Scout Council investigated and turned up some disturbing information”

From the Utah Department of Corrections sex offender registry website:

Name: Robert David STILLWELL Registration #: 3454
Aliases: Robert David BROTHERSON
Status: Active

Physical Description
• Age: 58 (DOB: 09/23/1964) • Height: 5’11”
• Sex: M • Weight: 200lbs
• Race: White • Eyes: Brown
• Hair: Brown
• Scars/Tattoos:

Address
HOLLADAY, UT 84117

Offenses
• Description: 76-5-403.1 – SODOMY ON A CHILD/1ST DEGREE FELONY
• Date Convicted: 02/02/1998
• Conviction State: Utah
• Release Date:
• Details:
• Counts: 1
• Description: 76-5-404.1 – AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD, 2ND DEGREE FELONY
• Date Convicted: 04/26/1993
• Conviction State: Utah
• Release Date: 11/19/1996
• Details:
• Counts: 1

Professional Licenses
Utah alcohol servers card

Sources
  1. Robert David Stillwell (Perversion Files)
    view source details | 21 Mar 2024 | Los Angeles Times
  2. Robert David Stillwell
    view source details | 18 Jan 2023 | Offender Radar
Sources excerpts

Mormon sex abuse database

 

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