3 LDS sex abuse cases found
1987
- Year convicted: 1987
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- Francis Cochran (1921 – 2005) was a Mormon high priest in the Seattle 6th Ward in Seattle, Washington in the 1980s; convicted twice in the 1980s of crimes related to sexual abuse of multiple children; allegedly assaulted multiple young girls on LDS property, including during church meetings; a 2025 lawsuit (Floodlit broke the story) said stake president Paul Diehl & multiple ward bishops covered up allegations against Cochran
Crime: 1980s, 
Crime state:
Washington,
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- Convicted:
1987, 1988,
LDS positions: High priest, 
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, - Civil case(s): Lawsuit v. LDS church, Ongoing,
- Alleged failure to report
- Alleged church actions: Church officials accused of failure to warn ward members, Excommunicated, Ward official accused of failure to report,
- View report »
Crime state:
Stake president and two LDS bishops allegedly covered up abuse allegations
"Despite numerous red flags, Defendants continued to give High Priest Cochran access to minor church members. Defendants allowed High Priest Cochran to continue to attend and volunteer at church events, including those attended by minors. Defendants also allowed High Priest Cochran to continue to transport young girls, including vulnerable refugee girls, to and from church events."
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- John Fanning (1932 – 2012) was a Mormon branch president in Texas, bishop in Oklahoma and Boy Scout executive in several US states, including Utah; accused in 1986 in Utah of sexually abusing at least three boys, including during LDS-sponsored scouting activities; admitted guilt; convicted via plea agreement in 1986 or 1987; sentenced to 30 days in jail and spent approximately 18 months on probation; died in 2012
- Crime: 1980s,
- Crime state:
Louisiana, Utah,
Convicted:
1987, 
LDS positions: Bishop, Branch president, Missionary, Scout leader, Senior missionary, 
Criminal case(s): Admitted guilt, Convicted, Jail, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, Probation, Civil case(s): Lawsuit v. LDS church, Unknown result, 
Alleged failure to report
Alleged church actions: Unknown church action, A Mormon scout executive agreed to continue paying Fanning for a month after he admitted to sexually assaulting two children
"I told [John Fanning] we had two options. Immediate termination or he could resign and I would pay him through the end of next month but he had to leave as of now. He elected to resign."
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- Craig Mathias (1960 – ) was a Mormon scout leader in Santa Clarita, California; was in the Northridge 1st Ward until 1983; convicted in 1987 of sexually molesting five boy scouts at his home; the alleged abuse involved up to 11 scouts; reportedly urged one victim on a recorded phone call not to tell police about the abuse; sentenced to six years in prison; released in 1990; registered sex offender (2025)
- Crime: 1980s,
- Crime state:
California,
Convicted:
1987, LDS positions: Missionary, Scout leader, Criminal case(s): Convicted, Prison, Registered sex offender, Released, Alleged failure to reportAlleged church actions: Unknown church action, Ward official accused of discouraging victim or others from reporting, Ward official accused of failure to report, Ward official accused of pressuring victim not to seek accountability, Ward official accused of saying victim was responsible, Filters
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