Brother of LDS apostle (Christofferson) charged with attempting to sexually exploit children in Utah and Ohio

[Rivendale]

There is a part of this that still baffles me. The charges against the brother did not include physical abuse of the child in Utah, although he confessed to it. I've been assuming that's because the court didn't have jurisdiction over physical abuse that happened in Utah. So why prosecution for communicating over video and not the actual physical abuse? Is the family not cooperating? Somebody talk me down.

I don't understand this either. Is their fear of the church overpowering their decision to protect their own children? Do they not believe their lack of cooperation enables future abuse?

[I Have Questions]

There is a part of this that still baffles me. The charges against the brother did not include physical abuse of the child in Utah, although he confessed to it. I've been assuming that's because the court didn't have jurisdiction over physical abuse that happened in Utah. So why prosecution for communicating over video and not the actual physical abuse? Is the family not cooperating? Somebody talk me down.

I've demonstrated on many occasions that I’m not qualified to talk about how the US legal system works. However, it says (apparently) in the charging documents that he has pleaded guilty to physical sexual in Ohio and Utah. So does that not automatically mean his sentencing will be for both?

[Res Ipsa]

There is a part of this that still baffles me. The charges against the brother did not include physical abuse of the child in Utah, although he confessed to it. I've been assuming that's because the court didn't have jurisdiction over physical abuse that happened in Utah. So why prosecution for communicating over video and not the actual physical abuse? Is the family not cooperating? Somebody talk me down.

I've demonstrated on many occasions that I’m not qualified to talk about how the US legal system works. However, it says (apparently) in the charging documents that he has pleaded guilty to physical sexual in Ohio and Utah. So does that not automatically mean his sentencing will be for both?

I'd have to look at the actual plea agreement. But he was never charged with the physical abuse in Utah. He can't agree to give subject matter jurisdiction to a court that doesn't have it.

ETA: look at how the Trib words it:

Wade S. Christofferson, 73, admitted to sexually abusing two girls in Ohio and Utah, according to plea agreement documents, and he pleaded guilty to coercing and exploiting the Utah girl through sexually explicit letters and phone calls.

He admitted to sexually abusing two girls, but pleaded guilty to coercing and exploiting the Utah girl. Maybe the admissions can be considered in the sentencing. Federal sentencing guidelines are out of my remit.

[I Have Questions]

I'd have to look at the actual plea agreement. But he was never charged with the physical abuse in Utah. He can't agree to give subject matter jurisdiction to a court that doesn't have it.

ETA: look at how the Trib words it:

Wade S. Christofferson, 73, admitted to sexually abusing two girls in Ohio and Utah, according to plea agreement documents, and he pleaded guilty to coercing and exploiting the Utah girl through sexually explicit letters and phone calls.

He admitted to sexually abusing two girls, but pleaded guilty to coercing and exploiting the Utah girl. Maybe the admissions can be considered in the sentencing. Federal sentencing guidelines are out of my remit.

I see that now. Does that still leave him open to be big charged with the physical sexual abuse in Utah? If he isn’t charged with it, does that automatically mean the victims family have decided to not press charges?

[Res Ipsa]

I'd have to look at the actual plea agreement. But he was never charged with the physical abuse in Utah. He can't agree to give subject matter jurisdiction to a court that doesn't have it.

He admitted to sexually abusing two girls, but pleaded guilty to coercing and exploiting the Utah girl. Maybe the admissions can be considered in the sentencing. Federal sentencing guidelines are out of my remit.

I see that now. Does that still leave him open to be big charged with the physical sexual abuse in Utah? If he isn’t charged with it, does that automatically mean the victims family have decided to not press charges?

I think he could still be prosecuted. The family really doesn’t decide whether charges are pressed. But if they don’t cooperate, it’s hard to prosecute.

[I Have Questions]

I see that now. Does that still leave him open to be big charged with the physical sexual abuse in Utah? If he isn’t charged with it, does that automatically mean the victims family have decided to not press charges?

I think he could still be prosecuted. The family really doesn’t decide whether charges are pressed. But if they don’t cooperate, it’s hard to prosecute.

The Church wouldn’t seek to protect Todd Christofferson’s reputation, and its own by association, by “encouraging” the family to drop the matter in Utah, would it?

[Res Ipsa]

I think he could still be prosecuted. The family really doesn’t decide whether charges are pressed. But if they don’t cooperate, it’s hard to prosecute.

The Church wouldn’t seek to protect Todd Christofferson’s reputation, and its own by association, by “encouraging” the family to drop the matter in Utah, would it?

Dunno. Maybe tacking on more time to the jail sentence wasn't worth the trauma to the family. **shrug**