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MAPLETON — A former LDS Church bishop accused of sexually abusing at least two boys in his congregation has been charged.
Erik Wayne Hughes, 51, of Mapleton, was charged Friday in 4th District Court with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and tampering with a witness, a third-degree felony.
According to charging documents, Hughes touched the genitals of a 17-year-old boy at least twice in 2014. Then in June, after Hughes learned that the boy had told authorities about the incidents, he "approached a second victim … (and) advised the victim that he might be contacted by police, and told that victim what to say to ensure (Hughes) would not get into trouble. The second victim was also sexually abused by (Hughes) when he was 17 years old and a member of the defendant's LDS ward," the charges state.
According to police, one boy was 15 when the alleged abuse began. Both are now over 18. Both men also claim that Hughes may have drugged them by giving them a pill to relax, only to pass out and wake up to find Hughes abusing them, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.
Hughes was not charged Friday with anything in relation to the alleged druggings.
According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed earlier this month in 4th District Court, the investigation began in April when one of the men, who had since moved out of state, "disclosed to his counselor ... that he was sexually abused by his bishop." The man told authorities that Hughes gave him what he claimed was melatonin. But the pill made him feel weird.
"(He) described the reaction as he felt like he was a passenger as things were happening. (He) said he felt like he was not in control of himself," according to the warrant.
The next day, Hughes gave him a smoothie, and the man said he had the same reaction after drinking it, the warrant states. During this time, he said Hughes abused him.
"(The man) said he could not keep these incidences to himself anymore and disclosed it to his counselor and bishop," the affidavit stated.
LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins issued a prepared statement regarding the incident when Hughes was arrested in June.
"There is zero tolerance for abuse of any kind in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When local leaders first learned about this matter, they immediately reported it to law enforcement. We have supported and cooperated fully with the law enforcement investigation. This individual has been removed from any position within the church," Hawkins said.
