Former Mormon missionary charged with rape of a minor in Idaho
Case details on Krew Zaugg, 21, of Idaho Falls, Idaho: https://floodlit.org/a/g070/
For 26 years (1963-89), LDS-BSA top execs knew of “perversion files,” but allegedly did not tell LDS church
Floodlit.org has learned that from 1963 to 1989 (26 straight years), five Mormon men who knew of the Boy Scout perversion files held the paid position of top liaison between BSA and LDS church. If an LDS official’s 2012 statement is true, none of them informed the church. Could the church have done more? This…
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Uncovering the Mormon Church’s Knowledge of Child Sexual Abuse: The 1984 Lawsuit
Yesterday, we mentioned the disturbing case of Richard Kenneth Ray, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church) who admitted to Arizona police in 1984 to molesting at least 33 children, three calves, and a dog over two decades. This article is part of a series of Floodlit special reports…
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Findings re: Mormon official’s declaration on church knowledge of sexual abuse
Floodlit.org has learned that in 2012, LDS church risk management director Paul Rytting declared under penalty of perjury, “the first lawsuit against the Church relating to sexual abuse was brought in 1989.” But we found two prior lawsuits (1986, 1988) directly contradicting his statement. Did he know? This article is part of a series of…
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A Latter-day Saint sexual abuse survivor sent President Russell Nelson a letter asking for increased safeguards. Here is her letter.
We love to see courageous Latter Day Saints calling for safeguards in their church. This is what we at Floodlit hope for: safety, honesty, accountability and improvement. That is what this brave survivor is doing. May we all be this brave. -Jane Executive Director Floodlit.org Note: The original post by the abuse survivor was published…
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Floodlit.org has discovered another alleged coverup of child sexual abuse by Mormon leaders
Floodlit.org has discovered another alleged coverup of child sexual abuse by Mormon church leaders: https://floodlit.org/a/g063/ Over a 28-year period starting in the 1950s, Mormon church member Edwin Ellis Dyer molested up to 15 boys. During some of those years, Dyer was their Boy Scout leader. For some reason, Ed Dyer’s name does not appear in…
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We just found $1,268,835.62 more in Mormon church child sex abuse costs
We (Floodlit.org) just discovered $1,268,835.62 more in Mormon church child sex abuse defense and settlement costs. Did you know Boy Scouts registration fees increased in the 1980s and 1990s to offset rising insurance premiums due in part to sexual abuse claims against the Mormon church? In 2003, the LDS church’s director of risk management, Paul…
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Dr. David Farley Mormon sexual abuse case update
On May 28, an Oregon judge refused to compel former Mormon family physician David B. Farley to answer questions about his church involvement. More than 150 women and girls are suing the former doctor and stake high council member for alleged sexual abuse. Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a113/
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Utah judge notes sex offender is “not yet a 75-year-old Mormon bishop”
Last week, a Utah judge replaced a child sexual exploiter’s prison sentence with 112 days in jail and 48 months probation, saying he was “not yet a 75-year-old Mormon bishop who is perpetrating on children and grandchildren.” FLOODLIT has found 30 ex-bishops convicted of CSA-related crimes in Utah. On May 20, 22-year-old Aidan Hoffman was…
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BYU football player accused of sexual assault in lawsuit
case report on Jake Retzlaff: https://floodlit.org/a/g062/ We’re aware he is Jewish, not Mormon. We’ve been asked multiple times to provide clarity in this case.
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Former Mormon branch president faces new child sex abuse charges in Tasmania
Case update on Bill Harding: https://floodlit.org/a/a947/
Where are the letters? Alleged sex abuse coverup by Mormon First Presidency
Did you know there is a current lawsuit accusing the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of aiding a sex abuse coverup? This case involves allegations of child sexual abuse in Santa Maria, California in the 1980s and 1990s. If you attended church there, please contact us. This article is…
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My response to hate mail
We received an anonymous message through our website today: “Floodlit is a group of nasty Anti-mormon people hell bent on trying to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by taking those who have done unspeakable things, and smear them, and their families into the ground continually, stirring up contention, or trying…
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FLOODLIT discovers three more Mormon sex abuse settlements, totaling over $2 million
FLOODLIT has learned of three more settlements the Mormon church paid after alleged sexual abuse of children. 1. $1.5 Million in 2019 in Riverside County, California (case RIC181995). An employee sexually abused a minor attending daycare on church property. Plaintiff Law firm: Estey & Bomberger 2. $500,000 in 2010 – location unknown. Law firm: Nye, Stirling,…
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BREAKING: Mormon church files appeal after losing civil suit against sex abuse insurers
Part of a series of Floodlit special reports on lawsuits alleging sexual abuse coverups by Mormon officials. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has filed an appeal after losing a lawsuit against insurance companies regarding more than $27 million in legal defense costs and $32 million in child sex abuse settlement payments to…
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BREAKING: Mormon Church Nears Massive Settlement of Over 100 Sexual Abuse Claims
Part of a series of Floodlit special reports on lawsuits alleging sexual abuse coverups by Mormon officials. FLOODLIT.org, an independent newsroom investigating sexual abuse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has learned that the church is now on the verge of settling more than 100 claims of sexual abuse filed since August…
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Former Colorado LDS stake president admits to attempted child sex assault
David McConkie, a former Mormon bishop and stake president in Colorado, has admitted to attempted sexual assault on a child as part of a proposed plea deal. In 2023, McConkie was charged with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. He confessed to a church leader in 2008, according to…
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Mormon church loses civil suit against insurers over sexual abuse settlements
Part of a series of Floodlit special reports on lawsuits alleging sexual abuse coverups by Mormon officials. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has lost a civil lawsuit against insurance companies over settlement payments it made to six West Virginia families in 2018 regarding allegations that Mormon officials hid child sexual abuse allegations…
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Wave of around 100 Mormon sex abuse lawsuits continues in California
Part of a series of Floodlit special reports on lawsuits alleging sexual abuse coverups by Mormon officials. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints won a key battle last week against roughly 100 plaintiffs who say it covered up their sexual abuse. Most were children at the time of the alleged abuse. This article…
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Utah Mormon sex abuse cases – firefighters, judges, police
FLOODLIT.org is sharing details about Gary Joseph Hawkins (Joe Hawkins), a 44-year-old Aurora, Utah firefighter charged in 2024 with child sexual exploitation, including possessing and distributing child sex abuse material. (pictured above: former Mormon bishop and Utah police officer David Moss) We’re also seeking info: Does anyone know about Hawkins’s religious affiliation or possible Mormon…
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Timeline: LDS church sued insurers to collect $90 million, after settling 5-year-long child sex abuse suit
FLOODLIT.org, an independent newsroom investigating sexual abuse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, broke the story last week that the church spent nearly $60 million over five years to defend and settle a lawsuit filed in 2013 by six West Virginia families who said church leaders covered up the abuse of their…
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$59 million, five years: what Mormon officials spent to stop a sex abuse lawsuit
FLOODLIT.org, an independent newsroom investigating sexual abuse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has learned that the church spent nearly $60 million over five years to defend and settle a 2013 West Virginia lawsuit by child sexual abuse victims. The church, widely known as the Mormon church, racked up $27 million in…
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Former Mormon church prison ministry head charged with child sex abuse
Doug Richens (Douglas G Richens) was arrested this week and charged with several crimes related to sexual abuse of children. Details at his case report: Doug Richens Mormon sex abuse case
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Mormon apostle’s son, now Utah judge, helped man avoid child sex abuse charges in 1989
Report: https://floodlit.org/a/a780/ Download the court document: https://floodlit.org/bassett-2024-motion-dismiss/ In June 2024, Mormon church member and former air traffic controller Alan Bassett was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing several children between 1977 and 1989 in Fruit Heights, Utah. Investigators said the victims ranged in age at the time between 5 and 10 years old. Bassett reportedly told…
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Mormon church downplays wave of around 100 sex abuse lawsuits in California
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to a Mar. 2 San Diego Union-Tribune article on at least 91 recently filed civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse perpetration or coverup by California church officials. The church, commonly known as the LDS or Mormon church, said in response to the suits, “Each of these specific…
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New Mormon sexual abuse case: Utah junior high teacher arrested for sexually abusing young student
Keaton Tanner was arrested. Case report
FLOODLIT.org Offers Free Access to Court Documents in Mormon Sex Abuse Cases
FLOODLIT.org has launched an initiative to provide free access to court documents tied to sex crimes allegedly committed by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon/LDS) and claims of mishandling by church officials. We’ve tracked thousands of accused individuals in such cases. Recently, nearly 100 lawsuits hit the Mormon church in…
DetailsMormon apostle’s grandson (a former stake president) still facing trial for child sexual abuse this summer, per a Colorado court hearing today
David McConkie case report: https://floodlit.org/a/a720/
BREAKING: New lawsuit against Mormon church says temple worker sexually assaulted a man during anointing ritual
In a lawsuit filed Jan. 27 against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a man says he was sexually assaulted by a church volunteer during an anointing ceremony at the Los Angeles California Temple in 1984. The case (2:25-cv-00703-RGK-E) was filed in the Central California District Court. FLOODLIT has obtained a copy of…
Details2024 Mormon Sexual Abuse Timeline of Events
Adding to our Timeline page: January 2024 Former LDS bishopric counselor Cortney Andrew is sentenced in Utah to 60 days in jail with work release. The victim, a teen girl, told detectives she began texting with him to receive counseling. His texts then turned inappropriate and sexually graphic. Tim Ballard, anti-trafficking advocate, faces four new…
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Mormon church references removed from news article on LDS temple prep teacher accused of attempted child sexual abuse
Today, KUTV altered a news headline and article text to remove Mormon church references 3 hours after reporting on an LDS youth temple prep instructor and mission leader charged with multiple felonies stemming from an undercover police sting operation. He allegedly attempted to meet a 13-year-old for sexual assault. The accused, Paul Spencer, was a…
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67 Latter-day Saint bishops convicted of sex crimes since 1990: Infographic
This infographic shows facts about 67 bishops of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have been convicted of sex crimes, including child sexual abuse, since 1990. More information: https://floodlit.org/lpe/ever-bishop/criminal-result/criminal-convicted/ Help us identify more: https://floodlit.org/donate/
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Mormon sexual abuse cases indexing project launches at FLOODLIT.org
FLOODLIT.org is announcing the launch of a new volunteer-driven project to locate, compile and index information about instances of sexual abuse or other sex crimes allegedly perpetrated by leaders or active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon Church). We recently surpassed 4,000 published case reports, and we need help adding…
DetailsBecome a FLOODLIT.org Volunteer Researcher
We need help compiling information from court documents and news articles. If you would like to help, please contact us right away. Thank you so much. It’s time.
DetailsBREAKING: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faces 91 new child sexual abuse lawsuits in California
BREAKING Oct. 12, 2024 – FLOODLIT.org has learned of a new wave of 91 child sex abuse lawsuits filed against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California. Starting on Aug. 26, the Slater Slater Schulman LLP law firm filed 91 civil suits in 26 California counties, each on behalf of a different…
Details1,000 Mormon Sexual Abuse and Sex Crime Cases – and Counting
We just reached a significant milestone: 1,000 published case reports. We will continue to shine a light!
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Mormon sexual abuse case news: lawsuit says LDS church leaders failed to report to stop child sex abuse
We’ve updated the Craig Harward case report with details from a lawsuit filed in California this week against the Mormon church and Harward. The plaintiff claimed that Harward repeatedly took her out of Sunday school classes and molested her in other rooms of their LDS church building between 2000 and 2001, when she was 12…
DetailsLDS Sexual Abuse Database UPDATE: 803 case reports, 530+ convicted sex offenders, 145+ former LDS missionaries, nearly 100 bishops, 150+ Scout/youth/Primary leaders, 18 former mission/stake presidents, 41 cases of alleged SA inside Mormon church buildings.
Please let us know what you think: https://floodlit.org/accused/ We aim to be the most comprehensive, useful resource we possibly can to help raise awareness about sexual abuse in the LDS church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). If you’d like to report a sex crime by a person who was an active LDS church…
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David Broadbent has been charged with forcible sexual abuse
Nearly 300 victims have come forward, but he’s not been charged … until now. Case report: https://floodlit.org/a/a038/
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She can’t quiet the memory of a childhood robbed from her.
In a Kansas case we reported on today, the abuser was a Mormon church member who allegedly preyed on girls for decades. He accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, so that prosecutors would dismiss counts of rape and sodomy. The victim’s mother said during…
DetailsMormon Sex Abuse Case NEWS: Blackfoot, Idaho “avid church-goer” sentenced to 2 to 20 years in prison
Blackfoot, Idaho “avid church-goer” Eric Jones was sentenced on Mar. 26 to two to 20 years in prison after being found guilty by a jury of felony battery with intent to commit lewd conduct with a minor. He reportedly said he’d “just given into his urges” by touching a toddler. He admitted his crime to…
DetailsMitch McKee arrested: new LDS sex abuse case report
Case details: https://floodlit.org/a/a678/
Now over 100 Mormon sexual abuse coverup cases listed
See: https://floodlit.org/failure-to-report/
41+ Mormon sexual abuse cases currently ongoing in criminal courts
This list includes 6 former bishops, 2 stake presidents (+2 SP counselors), 1 branch president, 4 primary/youth leaders, 3 attorneys, 3 politicians, 1 police officer, 1 hospital CIO, & the man who inspired “Sound of Freedom” movie. Who are we missing? Complete list Rexburg, Idaho LDS church member accused of breaking and entering women’s apartments…
DetailsKen Richens, former hospital CIO in Utah, pleaded guilty to sex crimes
Details: Kenneth Merlin Richens
Updated homepage
More reports coming soon.
Updating our database
Going through over 100 case reports and updating details and source information.
Report Failure to Help Sex Abuse Victims by Mormon Leaders and Active LDS Members
We’ve added a new database of instances where Mormon church members failed or allegedly failed to help sex abuse victims. Failure Database Report a Failure
DetailsMormon Sexual Abuse in the News: A 2023 Timeline
We’ve added 2023 events to our timeline page.
Bob Stahn Sentencing Date: Dec 21, 2023
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a608/
Breaking news: Mormon church offered $300,000 to silence sex abuse victim: AP
Case report: https://floodlit.org/a/a866/ The AP’s Mike Rezendes has a new scathing report about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an apparent sexual abuse coverup. The Mormon church offered $300,000 to a child sex abuse victim in exchange for her agreement not to use her story as the basis of a civil lawsuit…
DetailsAnother Mormon bishop who was a sexual abuser: Eddie Padilla of New Mexico
Case report: https://floodlit.org/a/a852/
Scott Owen, Mormon former bishop/therapist, arrested in Utah – 2025 update: sentenced to prison
If you’re here from Reddit on Oct. 20, 2025, please say hello. We love and appreciate you! Scott Owen (1959 – ) was a Mormon bishop (twice), stake presidency counselor and therapist in Provo, Utah. Owen was accused by at least seven former patients of sexually abusing them during sessions, and by a relative (alleged…
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Newly added Mormon sexual abuse case: Bryant Litchfield of Alberta, Canada
Bryant Litchfield case report: https://floodlit.org/a/a825/
1000 Mormon sex abuse cases by end 2023: Our publishing goal
We need to get about 450 more cases listed in order to reach our goal. We’ve got them all in “pending” status while we review details. If you’d like to help, please contact us.
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Mormon Sexual Abuse Podcast: Raise Awareness – 500+ Cases, 36 Hours!
Watch or listen to this 36-hour MARATHON podcast hosted by Maven, with volunteers from around the world reading cases from the FLOODLIT.org database live on air!
LDS Sex Abuse Report: David McConkie, former stake president
Case details Case report video on TikTok
DetailsMormon Sex Abuse Cases: Weekly Report, September 1, 2023
546 Mormon sex abuse cases. 15 new this week. FLOODLIT weekly report September 1, 2023. Kenny Parcell, president of the National Association of Realtors and former bishop’s counselor, resigned after sexual harassment accusations. Nearly 300 women have accused LDS doctor David Broadbent of physical or sexual abuse during office visits. No criminal charges yet. New…
DetailsMormon Sex Abuse Cases Weekly Report: August 25, 2023
Details: FLOODLIT Reports: Facts and Insights About Sexual Abuse in the Mormon Church LDS sexual abuse weekly report August 25, 2023. New abuse case developments this past week: A Mormon convicted for child pornography use said he was trying to help Operation Underground Railroad. Older abuse cases we’ve just added: A Utah temple…
DetailsMormon sex abuse cases: weekly report for 2023-08-18
It’s live! https://floodlit.org/reports/ 524 documented cases so far. Idaho LDS man arrested for alleged sexual contact with a toddler. Salt Lake Tribune piece accused a former Mormon bishop in Texas of sex abuse of 4 boys in 1980s. FAIR 2023 presentation defended LDS bishops keeping sexual abuse secret.
DetailsLDS Sexual Abuse Cases: Weekly Report 2023-08-11
Floodlit.org weekly report on Mormon church sexual abuse cases. As of August 11, 2023, we’ve published 520 cases of alleged or confirmed sex abuse by LDS members, with 200 more under review. The Mormon church sued its insurance providers demanding they pay its costs in a CSA lawsuit settlement. Roselle Stevenson, age 70, was arrested…
DetailsUpdated LDS sex abuse cases: David Hamblin and Roselle Stevenson (ex-spouses) of Utah
David Lee Hamblin case details Roselle Anderson Stevenson case details (formerly Roselle Hamblin) Ritualistic sex abuse cases involving LDS church members
DetailsMormon sex abuse reports: weekly episode 1 coming August 11
COMING THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 11: our weekly report about new developments in LDS sex abuse cases.
Scott Owen case details updated
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a272/
HELP NEEDED for Sexual Abuse Victims of LDS perpetrators: Lawyers, victim advocates, therapists, etc.
Help Wanted for Sexual Abuse Victims of LDS perpetrators: Lawyers, victim advocates, therapists, etc. We are trying to connect SA survivors with qualified help. Please contact us at https://floodlit.org/contact/ if you or someone you know can help sex abuse victims who were abused by LDS leaders/members. As we’ve added case information at floodlit, we’ve talked…
DetailsSetting up a research team for LDS sex abuse cases
If you’d like to help us research abuse cases, contact us.
LDS sex abuse cases: Catching up on a backlog
We have dozens – actually well over a hundred – Mormon sexual abuse cases we’re reviewing. Thank you for your patience.
DetailsSeveral newly updated cases, including recent sentencings
Check it out: https://floodlit.org/recently-updated/ Examples: Michael Clay Wade Schvaneveldt Michael Lister
DetailsLDS Sex Abuse Case Update: Judge Issues Warrant for Arrest of Former Sunday School Teacher and Utah Valley Symphony Director
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a352/
Updated case details: Michael Clay of Utah (former BYU professor)
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a068/
Newly found Mormon sexual abuse case: Matthew Faerber, former Utah high school music teacher
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a612/
New survivor story: Branch President went to trial for abuse, acquitted, kept molesting young boys for many years
Details: Read this Mormon sexual abuse survivor story
New abuse survivor story: in the chapel, by a Primary teacher
Details: Read the story
New page: upcoming court dates
Details: https://floodlit.org/upcoming/
Updated case details for John Doe, related to $2.28 billion civil lawsuit
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a610/ Thank you so much for supporting FLOODLIT and helping us shine a light.
DetailsUpdated case: Stephen Wold
Thank you to our anonymous sources. https://floodlit.org/a/a587/
New page added: Find sex offenders in any LDS ward/branch
Details: https://floodlit.org/find-sex-offenders/
New charges in Buckland Darrell case
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a586/
Why FLOODLIT exists
Details: https://floodlit.org/posting-policy/ and https://floodlit.org/about/
Added a former Motab member sex offender
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a592/
NEW Page: 68+ Mormon “failure to report” sexual abuse cases
Details: https://floodlit.org/failure/
New abuse story: Missionary in Guatemala abuse
Details: Missionary in Guatemala Abuse Curtis Crittenden case: https://floodlit.org/a/a598/
DetailsNew Mormon Sex Abuse Survivor Story: High Priest Pervert
Read the story here: Story: High Priest Pervert FLOODLIT wishes to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, this abuse survivor, and all survivors, who have shared their stories with us. We hope they help you find healing and a sense that you’re not alone.
DetailsLDS Sexual Abuse Survivor Story: I went to my bishop when I was 13 to confess what I thought was sexual sin – when in reality, I’d been groomed and sexually abused by an adult man.
Details: Read the Mormon abuse survivor’s story
Updated Robert Berchtold Case Details
Link: https://floodlit.org/a/a023/ FLOODLIT would like to thank Jan Broberg for replying to us on Facebook and giving us additional details to add to Berchtold’s listing.
DetailsNew Mormon Sexual Abuse Case Report: Les Ernest Johnson AKA Les E Johnson
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a596/
Various records updated
Details: https://floodlit.org/recently-updated/
Added a former LDS bishop: Donnie Boring
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a576/
Hi exmormon.org
Just saying hi and yeah, that’s us replying. Exmormon.org link 1 Exmormon.org link 2 Reddit link
DetailsFLOODLIT.org now has the 1986 LDS Directory of General Authorities and Officers
Thank you to the anonymous person who mailed it to us. This 348-page directory contains names of all LDS church (Mormon church) leaders from 1986 – worldwide! We will use it to help us research court cases and allegations of sexual abuse involving church members and leaders. If you’d like to send us things by…
DetailsUpcoming Remote Hearing in David Lee Hamblin Case
Date of hearing: 2023-03-22 2023-03-15: There is an upcoming remote hearing in this case, on 2023-03-22. The public may attend online. We hope everyone joins this call!
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LDS sexual abuse cases: 9+ Mormon bishops who were convicted of sex crimes committed WHILE they were bishops
also posted on Reddit Index: https://floodlit.org/lpc/crime-bishop/ If you’re looking for a list of former Mormon bishops who were ever publicly accused of sex crimes (regardless of when the alleged criminal acts took place), that’s here: https://floodlit.org/lpe/ever-bishop/ Have you ever heard LDS church members say something like, “That abuse doesn’t really count, because he didn’t do…
DetailsUpdated Ryan Whitaker’s listing: at least 2 alleged victims
We got a tip from an anonymous person and updated Whitaker’s case details: https://floodlit.org/a/a418/
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20 letters to a Utah judge in support of a Mormon bishop who was arrested in a human trafficking sting: 3 takeaways
Case details: https://floodlit.org/a/a248/ The 20 letters aren’t posted there, but I might redact them and do that if there’s enough interest. They’re from family and friends of a man who was busted on Valentine’s Day in 2019, trying to solicit undercover cops for sex. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as bishop…
DetailsUpdated LDS sexual abuse case: Keith Knutson
Added photo and case disposition details. Keith Benjamin Knutson
DetailsUpdated Mormon sexual abuse case: Anastasia Dawson
Hearing set for 2023-04-04. Anastasia Elizabeth Blansett Dawson
DetailsSite Updates
Improved advanced search page, much faster name search, new page about mission presidents, and more!
New case added: Mathew Legrand Arrington
Details: https://floodlit.org/a/a527/