UNKNOWN Simpkins was an LDS stake seventy in California; in 2024, accused in a civil lawsuit of child sexual abuse; the suit was one of 91 or more coordinated civil suits filed in California in 2024 against the Mormon church.

John Doe was an LDS church member in California. In 2024, Doe was accused in a civil lawsuit of child sexual abuse. The suit was one of 91 or more coordinated civil suits filed in California in 2024 against the Mormon church alleging child sexual abuse by a Mormon church leader or member. FLOODLIT is seeking more information and court documents related to this case.

A lawsuit filed in California in 2024 said a Mormon stake seventy named “Newton Simpkins” sexually abused a girl for 3 years, starting age 10, from 1973-76, inside an LDS chapel and in his car.

FLOODLIT.org found a Hamilton Newton Simpkins of Antioch, California, who lived from 1918 to 1973.

We are not sure if this man is the accused; the death date does not match the timeframe of the alleged abuse in the civil complaint.

A 1973 newspaper article reporting on Simpkins’s death said he was a Mormon bishop.

In 1965, Simpkins was convicted of child abuse after accusations that he beat his 7-year-old son in an attempt to cure him of bedwetting.

If you have any information about this individual, including their history in the Mormon church, please add information below or contact us.

FLOODLIT.org reports on sexual abuse in the LDS church in order to raise public awareness and help survivors heal. Learn more »

Sources

  1. source 1, , July 26, 2025.
  2. source 2, , July 26, 2025.
  3. source 3, , July 26, 2025.
  4. Jane Roe KL 66 v. Doe 1 et al, PacerMonitor, January 5, 2025.

Documents

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Criminal case documents

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Civil case documents

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