Ex-Mormon bishop in Livermore charged with sexually assaulting boys over decade

Former Livermore bishop charged with abusing boys

Former Livermore LDS bishop Michael Delar Morris, 76, faces 18 felony charges involving the alleged sexual assault of four boys between 1991 and 2000.

LIVERMORE, Calif. - A former bishop at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Livermore is facing multiple felony charges accusing him of sexually assaulting boys over the course of a decade.

Michael Delar Morris, 76, led a young men’s group at the Livermore church and also served as a Boy Scout leader. Prosecutors say the allegations involve multiple victims and date back to the 1990s and early 2000s.

Charges span a decade

What we know:

Morris has been charged with 18 felony counts of sexual assault and lewd acts with children involving four alleged victims. Authorities say the alleged abuse occurred between 1991 and 2000 in Livermore, including at the church, his home, a vehicle and the childhood homes of at least two victims.

Alleged victim speaks out

What they're saying:

"He's created a lot of harm in my life, and the lives of others. There are many victims," one survivor told KTVU on Thursday. "The coping, I think, comes along with knowing that we're now seeing some justice take place."

He did not want his name used.

He said of Morris, "He could act one way in one situation and act a very different way in a different situation and be able to use that to this benefit, to perpetrate."

An attorney for Morris declined to comment. In court on Wednesday, he described his client as a former engineer with Lockheed Martin who was ex-communicated from the church but later re-baptized and reborn.

"It's been frustrating to know that he's been able to navigate a system, a community in secret - and get away with it," the survivor said.

He says he wants to bring this case into the light to help bring about accountability.

"We're also hoping that by telling our story, this will help out for future generations," he said. "This is the shot across the bow. We're not going away. We're here. We're standing up."

"This case involves deeply troubling allegations of abuse of trust and authority involving children," Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said.

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Wife of another survivor weighs in 

What they're saying:

The wife of another alleged victim told KTVU, "It’s hard to acknowledge the humanity of someone who has done what that person did to all these boys."

Custody status

Morris has posted bail after it was set at $920,000.