4 LDS sex abuse cases found
1986
- Crime year: 1986
-
- 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
- View report »
Crime: 1980s, 
Crime city:
WA - Seattle, - Crime county:
WA - King,
- Crime state:
Washington,
Stake president and two LDS bishops allegedly covered up abuse allegations-
- 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
Crime city:
Crime county:
Crime state:
"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."
-
- Dennis Empey (1957 – ) was a Mormon church member in Driggs, Idaho and scout leader in Provo, Utah; accused of sexually abusing many children between 1981 and 1990; a stake president and four Mormon bishops allegedly failed to report abuse for years; convicted in 1991 in Utah of child molestation; sentenced to one year in jail and three years probation; charged in 2025 in Idaho with sex crimes
- View report »
- Crime: 1980s, 1990s,
- Crime city:
UT - Provo,
- Crime state:
Idaho, Utah,
Empey's alleged sex crimes span at least 44 years (1981 - 2025)
Convicted:
1991, 
LDS positions: Scout leader, 
Criminal case(s): Convicted, Jail, Probation, Civil case(s): Lawsuit v. LDS church, Unknown result, 
Alleged failure to report"This man has molested so many children that it involved four Bishops from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."
-
- 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
- View report »
- Crime: 1980s,
- Crime state:
Louisiana, Utah,
A Mormon scout executive agreed to continue paying Fanning for a month after he admitted to sexually assaulting a child
Convicted:
1987, LDS positions: Bishop, Branch president, Missionary, Scout leader, Senior missionary, Criminal case(s): Admitted guilt, Convicted, Jail, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, Probation, Alleged failure to report"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."
-
- Brian Peterson (1964 – ) was an LDS church member and scout leader in Orem, Utah; accused in 1988 of child sexual abuse; convicted and sentenced to prison in 1990
- View report »
- Crime: 1980s,
- Crime county:
UT - Utah,
- Crime state:
Utah,
A Mormon scout leader knew of allegations against Peterson for at least 10 months before reporting him to law enforcement
Convicted:
1989, LDS positions: Scout leader, Criminal case(s): Convicted, No contest, Plea deal, Pleaded guilty, Prison, Alleged failure to report"I've had little boys all over the state of Utah in conjunction with the Boy Scout program. Give me an 11-year-old boy for a week, and I'll make him a homosexual for life."
Filters
Select one or more criteria from the dropdown menus below to refine results.