Former Latter-day Saint Bishop Charged with Molesting Boys in Livermore Released on $920,000 Bail

A former bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been released from jail after posting $920,000 bail, following charges of sexually abusing four boys over several years. The accused, Michael Delar Morris, 76, is facing 18 felony charges that span from the early 1990s to the 2000s, according to court records.

Authorities say five individuals have come forward with accounts of abuse, alleging that Morris led a young men’s group through the church in Livermore. The complaint against him includes locations such as his home, the victims’ childhood homes, and the church on Hillcrest Avenue in Livermore where he served as a bishop.

Morris was ordered to stay away from minors, surrender his passport, and avoid contact with the accusers. His bail was posted on May 28 through a bail bonds company, eight days after the charges were filed, according to court records. The judge denied a defense motion to release Morris without requiring a bond.

The charges encompass a range of offenses, including lewd acts on a child, sexual penetration with a foreign object, and oral copulation of a child. Each charge includes a broad offense date range, indicating that the abuse occurred frequently over several months to a year. Morris is also alleged to have given sex toys to at least one of the victims.

Morris was arrested at his Utah home last month, with the investigation beginning in July 2025 when the first of five alleged victims came forward. One victim described instances where he was alone with Morris in the church office or during car rides.

Morris has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled to return to court on August 6. The case highlights the need for accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals, as emphasized in (Proverbs 31:8-9) and (Ephesians 5:11).

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