Orem Church Leader Arrested for Sexual Abuse

By Paige Fieldsted
Daily Herald
April 12, 2013

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/orem/orem-church-leader-arrested-on-sexual-abuse-charges/article_4e81fbdc-32cd-58fe-b92c-795a2643c806.html

Cesar Duran

An LDS leader in Orem has been arrested after a 13-year-old girl in his ward reported to family that he sexually abused her.

Cesar Duran was arrested Tuesday on two counts of sexual abuse of a child. According to police documents, Duran is in the bishopric of the accuser's LDS ward. The accuser and her family were helping clean the church house in Orem. The girl said Duran told her he needed help cleaning a chalkboard in one of the classrooms in the building and lifted her up to reach a high place on the chalkboard. When he put her down, the girl said, Duran told her she was cute and asked for a hug. The accuser said that during the hug Duran thrust his pelvic area into hers. The accuser then left and continued cleaning and while her back was turned Duran allegedly entered the room, grabbed her hips from behind and thrust his pelvis into her backside.

Police reports say that at that point the accuser ran from the room crying and told her aunt about what had happened. The family said they confronted Duran and he said he was sorry for causing problems. Police reports say that during the ride to the jail Duran said he had made a mistake by being alone with the girl, but Duran didn't answer any further questions and requested an attorney.

Scott Trotter, a spokesman for the LDS Church, said Duran was serving at a counselor in a bishopric at the time of his arrest. Trotter also confirmed that Duran has been released from his calling with the church.

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind. Those found guilty of these actions are subject to the demands of the law and also face Church discipline," Trotter said in a written statement. "The welfare of victims is our utmost concern and church leaders will continue to offer counseling and other resources to help in the healing process."

Sgt. Craig Martinez with the Orem Department of Public Safety said they don't believe there are any other potential victims and they are treating this as an isolated incident.

Duran was booked into the Utah County Jail on two charges of sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony. Martinez said Duran's position of trust with the girl is an aggravating factor that makes the crime a first-degree felony.