Rowland James (1968 – ) was an LDS church member in Lansing, Michigan; found guilty of sexually abusing young girls and a young boy he met at church; serving time in prison as of January 2024.

Rowland James was an LDS church member in Lansing, Michigan.

He was found guilty in two separate cases. In both, he sexually abused young girls he met at church.

James is currently serving at Oaks Correctional Facility. Earliest Release Date: 12/20/2051

—

Sara (a pseudonym to protect her identity) told FLOODLIT that Rowland James sexually abused her sometime between 1990-1992, before molesting the girls for whose abuse he was convicted.

Sara’s father was assigned by the bishop in their ward to mentor James, which is when the abuse happened.

Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.

As an independent newsroom, FLOODLIT relies on your generous support to make thousands of reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon church available. If you find our work helpful, please consider donating! Thank you so much for helping us shine a light.

Search the FLOODLIT Database

Share this page https://floodlit.org/a/a899/

Mar. 11, 2026: Floodlit needs your help to keep our database live as we prepare to release a report you won't want to miss. Please donate and tell a friend! Thank you so much for your support!

Sources

  1. Child sexual predator heading to prison confesses he cannot control urges , MLive, April 19, 2017.
  2. Man confesses to performing oral sex on 11-year-old boy, MLive, March 3, 2017.
  3. Man accused of sexual assaulting minor on Thanksgiving weekend, bond set at $500,000, MLive, January 11, 2017.

Documents

Have docs or info? Add information

Criminal case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related probable cause affidavit. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Civil case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related civil complaint. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Other documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.

Timeline

  • 1968
    Born

Images/photos

Add information

If someone you know was harmed by the person listed on this page, or if you would like us to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below. We will keep you anonymous. You can also contact us directly.

Other Mormon sex abuse cases

    • Wendell Thompson (1963 – ) was a former LDS bishop and stake presidency member in Clinton, Mississippi; convicted in 2011 of felony child sexual abuse (gratification of lust); some of the abuse took place while Thompson was in an LDS stake presidency role
    • View report »
    • David Moss (1967 – ) was an LDS bishop (2015-19) and police officer in Lehi, Utah; arrested in 2019 for soliciting an undercover cop for sex; pleaded guilty in 2019 to a 3rd degree felony charge of exploiting a prostitute and a misdemeanor charge of patronizing a prostitute; sentenced to prison, but both terms were suspended
    • View report »