Long-standing Issue of Sexual Assault in the Mormon Community Revealed

YPC News

Long-standing Issue of Sexual Assault in the Mormon Community Revealed

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A former Utah City mayor and bishop with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was arrested after accusations arose regarding the sexual assault of three children. 


Carl Matthew Johnson, 77, was taken into custody in Davis County Jail in Farmington on September 7 evening, suspected of seven counts of sexual abuse. 


According to a probable cause statement released by Davis County Sheriff’s office, Johnson assaulted three female minors in 1985,1993, and 1996. The police accused Johnson of repeatedly groping the girl's breasts and genitalia. 


The abuse occurred while Johnson lived in Davis county, prompting the county’s police to start a formal investigation. 


The investigation involved the victims, now adults, who told investigators that “Johnson used his position of trust to influence any disclosures”; the victims claimed that his “position of power” induced them to stay silent. 


The church's attorneys silenced victims and bishops in numerous other pending trials, much like they did in Johnson's. Excerpts of a call log revealed Utah Republican State Rep. Merill F. Nelson was made aware of the sexual abuse of the daughters of Bishop John Herrod. Well aware of this issue, Nelson advised Bishop John Herrod to not report the abuse, and that “he could be sued if he reported, and the instruction by counsel not to report Paul to the authorities was the law in Arizona and had nothing to do with Church doctrine.” 


According to reports, the bishops' crimes were covered up by the Mormon Church's legal team, who also silenced any disclosures.


Johnson has now admitted to assaulting the three victims and estimates there were a total of six victims over his career, one of whom was just two years old.


No official charges have been made.


By Emilie Chi  

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