A former Latter-day Saints bishop who once ran a church-affiliated boys' youth group in Livermore appeared in court today, facing a slate of child sexual assault charges that prosecutors say date back more than three decades. Michael Morris is accused of abusing four boys in alleged incidents from the 1990s and early 2000s. He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court tomorrow.
Charges and arraignment
According to KGO‑TV, Morris was arraigned in Alameda County on 18 felony counts of non‑forcible sexual assault involving four alleged victims. Prosecutors say the offenses occurred between roughly 1991 and 2001, during the period when Morris served as a bishop in Livermore and oversaw a church-connected boys' youth program.
Court records cited by KGO‑TV list Morris's bail at $920,000 and put his next court appearance on the calendar for tomorrow.
District attorney responds
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson did not mince words in a public statement about the case. "This case involves deeply troubling allegations of abuse of trust and authority involving children," she said, as reported by KGO‑TV.
Jones Dickson added that her office is committed to pursuing justice for survivors "regardless of how much time has passed, whenever the law permits prosecution." Prosecutors have not released further information about the four alleged victims or the detailed nature of the accusations, citing the sensitivity of the case.
Local context
The Morris prosecution arrives as Alameda County's new D.A. signals a shift toward more explicitly victim-centered work and tackling a backlog of serious cases. KQED has reported that Ursula Jones Dickson, who was sworn in in 2025, plans to emphasize training and victim outreach as part of an effort to rebuild confidence in the office.
Advocates for survivors say that when prosecutors show a willingness to file charges in decades-old cases, it can encourage others with long-buried experiences to consider coming forward, even years after the alleged conduct.
Legal next steps
From here, Morris's case moves into the county's standard felony process, starting with pretrial scheduling and, potentially, a preliminary hearing where a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to proceed. The Alameda County Public Defender's Office notes that arraignment hearings typically cover a defendant's plea, bail or other release terms, and scheduling for future dates such as preliminary hearings or plea discussions.
If prosecutors ultimately take the case to trial, it would be heard in Alameda County Superior Court under routine felony trial procedures.
How to contact authorities
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the allegations to reach out to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office or local law enforcement. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has confirmed that it is handling the matter.
