Honk News (Salt Lake City, UT)- A former church leader has been charged with multiple counts of rape in Salt Lake County for allegedly attacking a 14-year-old member of his congregation more than 20 years ago, according to recently unsealed documents.
Armando Flores, 69, was charged with two charges of rape and one count of object rape for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager multiple times while serving as her religious leader in 2002. According to court filings, he was serving as the branch president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time.
Sim Gill, the Salt Lake County District Attorney, announced the charges on Tuesday, stating that the victim-survivor was 14 years old when the alleged crimes occurred. The charges, which were initially brought on February 20, 2025, were unsealed last Wednesday, February 26.
The victim’s family had recently converted to the faith in 2002, and Flores was the local church leader. The abuse occurred on three separate days, according to Gill. He claimed that on one of the days, Flores seized the victim “in a bear hug” as she walked to her youth seminary session and ordered her to get in his truck.
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Flores then went to a nearby park and allegedly sexually abused her before leaving her off at school.
According to court documents, following the first rape event, the victim confronted Flores and stated that she was going to tell her mother. When he reminded her of “everything he had done for her family and that they needed him,” the victim decided not to tell her.
When authorities spoke with Flores, he allegedly stated that he remembered the victim’s family and helped them in a variety of ways, including obtaining financial support from the church and finding work.
He also allegedly acknowledged to talking with the girl “about the fact that she was no longer a virgin,” according to the records.
“The youth in our community should be able to trust the adults in their lives. We are here to help them flourish as they grow into adulthood, not hurt them and take advantage of their trust. We appreciate the courage the victim-survivor had to come forward. We will provide her with all the support this office can offer,” Gill said.
He urged anyone who has been a victim of crime — or knows someone who has — to report it so that it can be thoroughly examined.
“Once it is investigated it can be prosecuted, and the offender can be held accountable. You don’t have to suffer in silence,” Gill said.
Reference: Former church leader charged with rape after allegedly assaulting teen in 2002