EVERETT — A lawsuit filed against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alleges that the church permitted a convicted sexual offender to have access to children, resulting in the sexual assault of four boys, one as young as age 5, in Mountlake Terrace.
The complaint, filed Monday in King County Superior Court, claimed the church allowed David Herget to attend church services and actively participate in the Mountlake Ward after his 1993 conviction, according to a press release. A ward is a geographically defined designation of members presided over by a bishop.
In 1993, Herget was a high priest in the ward when he was convicted of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, the release said. The complaint alleges church members advocated for Herget’s early release and wrote letters urging leniency, resulting in Herget serving 180 days of a seven-year sentence.
In 2001, Herget was allegedly allowed to attend church services and participate in the ward before his release from state supervision, the release said. Herget was tasked with printing and disseminating programs during Sunday services and would allegedly enlist the help of young boys at his home, which, according to the press release, the church was aware of.
A representative from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not respond to requests for comments on Tuesday.
The press release claims Herget created “special programs” with candy inside that he would distribute to young boys within sight of the ward bishop and the stake president when he was visiting. The complaint alleges the church permitted Herget to dress up as Santa Claus and have young church members sit on his lap during the holiday season.
In 2002, Herget was allegedly re-baptized in the LDS church — a measure extended to excommunicated members who have repented. The press release alleges that Herget had not repented and was abusing three victims at the time.
In 2004, Herget was reinstated as a high priest, the release said. According to court documents, Herget died on July 2, 2005, at the age of 62.
Allegations from the four victims include Herget showing the victims pornography, performing oral sex on them and watching and engaging in masturbation. Three victims allege the abuse lasted four years, with one victim alleging the abuse happened on church property, during Sunday services and in Herget’s home. One victim was 5 years old when Herget sexually abused him on the pretense of delivering him a program with candy when he was sick and unable to attend services, the release said.
“For years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints allowed this depraved sexual offender to have unrestricted access to countless children, the most vulnerable members of their community,” Stan Gipe from Dolman Law Group said in the press release. “After years of systemic abuse at the hands of someone that the Church empowered, our clients are finally seeking justice from this morally corrupt institution that sat by idly and allowed this horrific abuse to occur. We will do everything in our power to ensure that the LDS church is held fully accountable for their purposeful neglect of these children, and to force change so that other innocent children never have to experience this type of evil again.”
According to the release, the complaint seeks monetary damages from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the physical and emotional injuries to the four victims.
Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan
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