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Donate »8 Mormon sexual abuse cases found
Alfred Cote
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- was a Mormon church member and Boy scout leader in New Hampshire and Nauvoo, Illinois; convicted in the 1980s and in 2020 of child sexual abuse.
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Alleged coverup- Criminal: Convicted,
- Positions: Scout leader,
- Crime: 1980s, 2000s, 2010s, in Illinois, New Hampshire,
- Crime scenes: Scout activity,
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Malcolm Goodwin
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- was a former Mormon bishop and retired pathologist and coroner's physician in O'Fallon, Illinois; US Army Reserves and Air Force veteran; arrested in 2022 for Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child; charged with six felony counts of predatory criminal sexual assault involving minors.
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- Criminal: Ongoing, Unknown result,
- Positions: Bishop, High priest,
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Douglas Holyoak
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- was a Mormon bishop in Sycamore, Illinois from about 1999 to 2004; accused in a 2024 civil lawsuit of sexual assault of an underage girl in his office at church when she reported sexual harassment by other youth; allegedly covered up the assault with the help of a stake presidency counselor (Michael John Evans).
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- Alleged coverup
- Criminal: Never charged, Not convicted,
- Civil: Lawsuit v. LDS church, Ongoing,
- Positions: Bishop,
- Alleged crime: 2000s, in Illinois,
- Crime scenes: Bishop's office, LDS building,
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Harry Jones IV
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- was a Mormon church member in Buffalo Grove, Illinois; convicted of possessing CSAM; is a registered sex offender.
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- Criminal: Convicted, Plea agreement, Pleaded guilty, Probation,
- Crime: 2010s, in Illinois,
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Richard McClung
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- was a Mormon bishopric counselor in the Rockford, Illinois area; convicted in 2007 and 2014 of child sexual abuse; accused in a 2025 lawsuit against the Mormon church of sexually abusing an 8-year-old girl; allegedly was not removed from bishopric despite charges.
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- Alleged coverup
- Criminal: Convicted, Found guilty, Prison, Registered sex offender,
- Civil: Lawsuit v. LDS church, Ongoing,
- Positions: Bishopric counselor,
- Crime: 2000s, 2010s, in Illinois,
- Crime scenes: LDS activity, LDS building, Perpetrator's home,
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Joseph Smith
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- was the founder of the LDS church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon church); was publicly accused during his life (1805-1844) of sexual misconduct, including adultery and illegal polygamy; never charged with a sex crime; in May 1844, a Hancock County, Illinois grand jury indicted Smith for perjury, fornication and polygamy; died in June 1844.
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- Alleged coverup
- Criminal: Never charged, Not convicted,
- Civil: No civil case,
- Positions: Apostle,
- Alleged crime: 1800s, in Illinois, Missouri, Ohio,
- Crime scenes: Perpetrator's home,
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Kay Walker
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- was a Mormon church member and Nauvoo Inn owner in Nauvoo, Illinois; charged with sexually abusing his employees; entered an Alford plea in 2004, resulting in a conviction while maintaining his innocence before the court; January 2024: lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
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- Criminal: Alford plea, Convicted,
- Positions: Missionary,
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Brigham Young
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- Second president of the Mormon church; married 56 women, including a 15-year-old and three 16-year-olds; was publicly accused during his life (1801-1877) of sexual misconduct, including adultery and illegal polygamy; never charged with a sex crime; arrested and charged with adultery in 1871; not found guilty; died in 1877.
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- Alleged coverup
- Criminal: Never charged, Not convicted,
- Civil: No civil case,
- Positions: Apostle, Missionary,
- Alleged crime: 1800s, in Utah,
- Crime scenes: Perpetrator's home,
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International map of locations where active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perpetrated or allegedly perpetrated sexual abuse or other sex crimes, or where LDS leaders failed or allegedly failed to help abuse survivors.
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