Yes, I am! Doing a bit of work before I go to bed...
Man accused of abusing girl at his church ward
SALT LAKE CITY -- A former bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at an LDS church ward building.
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, said Salt Lake City police Sgt. Fred Louis. Dixon posted bail and was released later in the day.
The crime would normally be charged as 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.
Dixon was bishop when the incident occurred Aug. 24. He has been relieved of his duties pending further investigation.
Other than the girl's testimony, Louis said there is no evidence linking Dixon to the crime.
The LDS church said Thursday that Dixon is maintaining his innocence.
9/7/02 Story Link