PHOTO: Davis County / KUTV
By Larry D. Curtis, KUTV
(KUTV) — A Utah bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was arrested after he was reported for distributing child pornography and told investigators he took pictures of children while on camping trips in his role as a church leader.
Timothy Jame Hallows, 61, of Kaysville, Utah, is held without bail in Davis County after his arrest for eight counts that were amended to sexual exploitation of a minor. Probable cause documents state that he spoke with investigators after a tip led them to his IP address. In the documents, law enforcement asked for high bail or no bail because they believe Hallows could be a threat to the community, partly because of his position of trust as a bishop — the leader of a congregation that meets alone with children.
A law enforcement official said additional charges are anticipated.
During interviews after his arrest, Hallows reportedly waived his Miranda rights and admitted to distributing child sexual abuse images using Skype. He also admitted to owning an unknown amount of images of child sexual abuse but estimated the numbers were over 100. He also said he sought sexual gratification using the images.
He declined to take a polygraph test regarding physical, sexual contact with young children but stated he had “done nothing regarding sexual contact with children long term.”
Documents said he was concerned about the polygraph results.
“He described camping trips with children, where he took pictures of children, expressing that this could lead to a failed polygraph. He did these camping trips while acting his role as a Bishop for the LDS church.”
Documents say Hallows was told investigators believe he has had sexual contact with children.
“He stated uh huh, and shook his head in affirmation. Hallows rationalized several reasons why he believed he would fail the polygraph.”
Forensics investigations located thousands of images of pornography, “including many images of child sexual abuse.”
The documents detail eight of the found images with a prepubescent girl, some involving an adult, presumably corresponding to the eight charges detailed for his probable cause.
“Hallows holds a special position of trust in the community as a Bishop in Kaysville,” the documents state. “This includes unfettered access to children in his congregation and in private. Hallows made several concerning statements that led investigators to believe he has had sexual contact with children.”
It also said Hallows travels frequently and “conducted this behavior in other states.”
Investigators will follow up on forensics and potential interviews with children.
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