This shows proximity of Smart House (top), Grandfather Francom's House (second to top), Dixon's Residence (second to bottom), Dixon's Ward House (bottom).
Credits to poster Aresin on Crime&Punishment Forum.
Posted on 09/06/2002 8:16:19 PM PDT by Palladin
Friday, September 6, 2002
Ex-bishop accused of sex abuse of teen girl
By Brady Snyder Deseret News staff writer
A former bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been charged with a sex crime involving a 13-year-old girl who attended his ward.
Spencer Dixon
Spencer Dixon, 38, was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. He was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on a $100,000 warrant Thursday morning without incident, said Salt Lake City police Sgt. Fred Louis.
Dixon posted bail and was released later in the day. Calls to his house seeking comment were not immediately returned today.
A first-degree felony is punishable by five years to life in prison.
The crime of which Dixon is accused would normally be a second-degree felony, but because Dixon was the religious leader of the alleged victim, the crime was elevated to a first-degree felony, Salt Lake County prosecutor Kent Morgan said.
"He's the bishop over the flock, and if you fleece your own flock, you're in trouble," Morgan said.
Dixon was bishop when the incident occurred Aug. 24. Court documents state that a 13-year-old girl was watching a group of younger children at an LDS ward house near 1300 South and 2400 East, when Dixon entered the room and asked her to come with him to retrieve some videos from the building's library.
Inside the library Dixon sexually abused the girl, court documents state. The victim "was finally able to get away" and told her parents about the incident the next day, court documents state. Other than the girl's testimony, Louis said there is no evidence linking Dixon to the crime. Still, Morgan said the case is strong because the girl reported the crime directly after it occurred.
"She made a prompt complaint," he said. Added Louis: "It was reported quickly. There was no hesitation on the victim's part." The LDS Church said Thursday that Dixon is maintaining his innocence.
"We understand that he denies the allegation," church spokesman Dale Bills said in a written statement.
Still, Dixon has been relieved of his duties pending further investigation, Bills said. If the allegations prove true, Dixon is subject to discipline, including excommunication, Bills said.
"We are saddened by any allegation that a child has been harmed by improper, abusive conduct," Bills said. "Children are one of the greatest gifts of God and should be lovingly nurtured and protected."
In the coming days or weeks, detectives will interview ward members to discover if there are other victims who had previously been fearful to come forward, Louis said.
"That's a real concern for us," he said.
It's the lack of companionship, Utah Girl, not the newness of fatherhood!
It will be interesting to see if any other children come forward with complaints in the week(s) ahead.
This shows proximity of Smart House (top), Grandfather Francom's House (second to top), Dixon's Residence (second to bottom), Dixon's Ward House (bottom).
Credits to poster Aresin on Crime&Punishment Forum.
landerwy, you're right--their paths may never have crossed as neighbors. But as co-religionists?
Here's Francom's obit, for review. Is his Ward near Dixon's Ward?
Myron LeGrande Francom
Saturday, June 1, 2002
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Myron LeGrande Francom died May 29, 2002 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Myron was born January 6, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah to William LeGrande and Laura Boley Francom. He married his eternal sweetheart, Genevieve Pettit on November 14, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple.
He served honorably in World War II and loved his country. He worked at the Deseret News Press for over 30 years and found it a great blessing to set the type for many Church magazines and books. His greatest love was reserved for his family. Myron and Jenny were blessed with nine children, 51 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren who were the center of Dad's life. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having faithfully magnified many callings throughout his life, including over 25 years of service in the Salt Lake Temple. He served as the President of the Philippines Manila Temple with his companion from 1993 to 1996, and continued thereafter as a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. Dad's greatest qualities were faith, integrity, and devotion to his wife and family and love for his Savior. Families are Forever.
Myron is survived by his eternal companion Jenny of 60 years; children, Laura Parr (John), Myron L. Jr. (Beverly), Mark S. (Janice), Carolyn Joy Bradford (Kenneth), Michael A. (Lorna), Genevieve Wright (Steven), Stanford L. (Terry), Lois Smart (Edward), David B. (Carolyn). He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother and both sisters.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3, 2002 at 12:00 noon at the East Millcreek 15th Ward building, 3750 S. Hillside Lane (2500 E.), Salt Lake City. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church on Monday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to the services.
Note: I find these addresses very confusing, with the East and the South, etc. I would have a tough time driving around SLC.
Their paths needn't have crossed at all for him to have met Elizabeth while running or jogging. Or even when she visited her grandparents and was out walking around.
She wouldn't have thought a thing about being friendly with a LDS bishop -- perfectly innocent. They may have even exchanged an e-mail ot two. Just possibilities.
That said, the proximity of all the Smart family homes to the neighborhood in question, is also very interesting.
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