facebook-pixel

Ex-LDS bishop charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl

He was the 15-year-old’s bishop at the time of the alleged assault.

A Utah man has been charged with sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl while he was her Latter-day Saint bishop.

James Douglas Robinson, 63, has been charged in 8th District Court with forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

According to a probable cause statement, the 15-year-old girl told police that she was assaulted June 16 while she was at a church girls’ camp at the Reid Ranch in Hanna, Duchesne County.

She said she was alone in the kitchen area when her bishop pinned her and touched her inappropriately over her clothes.

After the alleged assault, Robinson was released as bishop of his Latter-day Saint ward, or congregation, and, according to police, moved to Idaho.

According to a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “The church reported these allegations to law enforcement as soon as they were brought to the attention of local leaders and the individual was immediately released from his leadership position to allow him to focus on his legal defense.” The statement went on to say that the church “has zero-tolerance for abuse of any kind and is awaiting the outcome of this case in the legal system before commenting any further.”

A warrant has been issued for Robinson’s arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 26.

Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.