Lawsuit accuses LDS church of allowing convicted Mountlake Terrace sex offender access to children

A lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court accuses the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of allowing convicted sex offender David Herget to have access to children, resulting in the abuse of four boys from 2001 to 2005. The plaintiffs, referred to as John Roes, allege that Herget, who was previously convicted of raping his daughter, was permitted to participate in church activities despite his criminal record. Herget reportedly engaged with children, creating programs that included candy as incentives and dressing as Santa Claus at church events. The lawsuit details various forms of abuse, including groping and fondling, some occurring in the church parking lot. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages for lasting physical and emotional harm, claiming that the Church knowingly allowed Herget to exploit vulnerable children.

Stan Gipe of Dolman Law Group emphasized the Church's failure to protect children and the need for accountability. Mountlake Terrace police arrested Herget in 2005 on multiple charges, including child molestation, and he later died by suicide while in custody. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.