A former bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints charged with sexually abusing a young female ward member made his first appearance in court Thursday morning.
 Spencer Dixon |
Spencer Dixon, 38, appeared before 3rd District Judge Leon Dever on one charge of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. Dixon said nothing during the hearing, which lasted less than one minute.
He is scheduled for a roll call hearing Oct. 15.
Dixon and his attorney, Brad Rich, left the courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City without saying anything to reporters.
Dixon was charged Sept. 5 with sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl who attended his ward, court documents state. Dixon was bishop when he allegedly abused the girl Aug. 24 in the library of an LDS ward house near 1300 South and 2400 East, according to court documents.
Charges against Dixon were raised from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony because he was the religious leader of the alleged victim.
If convicted, Dixon faces a potential sentence of five years to life in prison.