LIVERMORE, CA — A former bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been charged with 18 felony counts of sexual assault against minors, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson announced Thursday.
Michael Morris abused four boys in Livermore between approximately 1991 and 2001 while serving as a bishop and supervising a church-affiliated youth group for boys, prosecutors said. He also served as a Boy Scout leader.
All 18 counts are non-forcible sexual assault charges involving four separate victims, according to the DA's office.
"This case involves deeply troubling allegations of abuse of trust and authority involving children," Jones Dickson said. "Our office remains committed to pursuing justice for survivors of sexual abuse, regardless of how much time has passed, whenever the law permits prosecution."
The case was investigated by Livermore Police in coordination with the District Attorney's Office.
One survivor, who asked not to be identified, spoke to KTVU about the case, describing Morris as someone who could present entirely different personas depending on the situation — and used that ability to conceal his conduct.
The wife of another victim told KTVU the case has been difficult to process.
"It's hard to acknowledge the humanity of someone who has done what that person did to all these boys," she said.
Morris remains in custody with bail set at $920,000. His next court date is May 22 in Department 702 of the East County Hall of Justice.
An attorney for Morris declined to comment on the charges.
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Livermore, CA Patch
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