Former church leader charged with rape after allegedly assaulting teen in 2002

WARNING: This story addresses sexual violence. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100.

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A former church leader was charged with multiple counts of rape in Salt Lake County for allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old in his congregation more than 20 years ago, according to recently unsealed documents.

Armando Flores, 69, was charged with two counts of rape and one count of object rape after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager several times while serving as her religious leader in 2002. Court documents say he was serving as a branch president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the charges Tuesday, saying the victim-survivor was 14 years old when the alleged assaults took place. The charges, which were originally filed on Feb. 20, 2025, and were unsealed last Wednesday, Feb. 26.

In 2002, the victim’s family had recently joined the religion, and Flores was their local church leader. The abuse took place on three separate days, according to Gill. He said on one of the days, Flores grabbed the victim “in a bear hug” as she walked to her youth seminary class and told her to get in his truck.

Flores then drove to a local park where he allegedly sexually assaulted her before dropping her off at school.

According to court documents, after the first rape incident, the victim confronted Flores and said she was going to tell her mother when he reminded her of “everything he had done for her family and that they needed him,” and the victim decided not to tell her.

When authorities spoke with Flores, he allegedly said he remembered the victim’s family and assisted them in several ways, including helping them receive monetary assistance from the church and finding a job.

He also allegedly admitted to having a conversation with the victim “about the fact that she was no longer a virgin,” documents say.

“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 continued to encourage anyone who is a victim of crime — or knows someone who is — to report it so it can be investigated.

“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.

ABC4 has reached out to the church for comment and has not yet received a response.