https://www.ksl.com/article/51066444/ex-bishop-quoted-bible-verses-in-attempt-to-intimidate-a-witness-charges-say

"A St. George man who served 15 years in prison for sexually abusing two girls while he was their bishop in Harrisville, Weber County, has now been charged with threatening a witness in a parole violation investigation by quoting Bible verses to her.

Timothy Osean McCleve, 69, has been charged with retaliation against a witness, victim or informant, a third-degree felony.

In June, McCleve learned a woman who lives in his neighborhood is a witness to the suspected parole violation being investigation by Adult Probation and Parole. Just an hour after learning the woman was a witness, McCleve went to her house to find out more about the investigation, the affidavit states.

"Timothy then began reading Bible scriptures (Deuteronomy) to her that spoke specifically about witnesses who shall face the same punishment as the sinner," according to the affidavit.

The officer taking the report researched Deuteronomy and noted, "There is a verse within Deuteronomy that speaks about witnesses making false claims and the punishment they should face. (The woman) said during their contact, Timothy also secretly took photos of her," the affidavit alleges.

Police say the woman "is devoutly religious (and) believed Timothy was doing this to intimidate her after finding out she was a witness."

When officers questioned McCleve, he "admitted he believed the investigation was still active as he is currently wearing an ankle monitor due to the investigation. Timothy admitted to speaking to (the woman) about his investigation even though she did not ask about his investigation nor did she request to visit with him. Timothy admitted to reading Bible scriptures to (her) regarding those who 'cast the first stone' but did not have valid reason for doing so considering he has never done that before with her," according to the arrest report."

"In 2008, McCleve pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, for repeatedly sexually abusing two girls while he was their Latter-day Saint bishop, although prosecutors say there were three victims. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison.

While at the Utah State Prison, another victim who was abused in 1994 by McCleve came forward. He was charged in 2011 with two more counts of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two more terms of one to 15 years in prison. Those sentences were ordered to be served consecutive to each other and to his previous sentence."

I can see where the church would feel okay about excommunicating him, since, at best, he’d only be paying tithing on 30 cents an hour while in prison . . .

Only if three cents per hour is worth less than two widow's mites.

But, but, Freedom of Religion!

McCleve was being investigated due to associating with children once again, something that he was expressly forbidden from doing under the terms of his parole. Some people never learn. I guess he must love wearing the prison jumpsuit.