Breaking News

LDS Branch President accused of nearly biting off another man’s penis

Updated: 8/09/2012 9:00 am | Published: 8/08/2012 7:15 pm

MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A man charged with the spiritual safety of an LDS congregation is behind bars Wednesday night. According to court documents, he was arrested for sexually assaulting a Millcreek mother and her daughter, then biting the brother’s penis.

Police say 46-year-old Efrey Guzman supposedly has one mean bite.

According to court documents, back in May, Guzman tried to molest a 13-year-old girl living in a Millcreek home just off 4500 S. That day, police say her 20-year-old brother scared Guzman away.

Court documents say Guzman came back last week, and this time, he forced his way into the house, began molesting the mother, and when the brother tried to stop to him, Guzman grabbed his penis and bit it.

Neighbors can't believe it.

"I think it's very scary," said Judy Golightly.

"It makes me angry," said Bud Hancock.

"I think it's kind of weird," said Richard Golightly.

The family declined to do an interview on camera, but their LDS bishop tells ABC 4 they’re traumatized.

"There's some medical things that may affect this man for a long period of time and emotionally these children are devastated," said Kent Kuhn, the victim’s LDS Bishop.

The bishop and his wife said the mother recently moved her family to Utah to be closer to other LDS members, and protect her children from crime.

"She thought it'd be safer here and this makes us really sad to think that something like that could happen here on our street," said Gloria Kuhn, Neighbor.

What's ironic is Guzman is a Branch President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake County area. Neighbors said the whole situation is shocking.

"Does that make you upset at all?” Reporter Brian Carlson asked.

“Yah really upset," said Rebecca Locke, Neighbor.

"I have no compassion for someone that does something like that at all," said Hancock.

ABC 4 spoke with the LDS church about Guzman, and they said the church has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind. Mr. Guzman was immediately released from his church position, and will face further church discipline after the legal process is over.

crime,

Story Comments

Print Story

18 Comment(s)

Comments: Show | Hide

Here are the most recent story comments.View All

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of ABC4

oh my gosh - 9/16/2012 9:57 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Will you people get off the God thing for once in your lives? Is it time to grow up yet? God is for people who jeer the scapegoat. You guys are all sounding ridiculous talking about someone neither of you has never seen nor heard. And the fact that many people can say to you that God said this or God said that and then told you the story and you believed it, just goes to show. For Gods sakes, whatever ya do, don't pick up a book by outside sources and educate yourselves.

rchappelle - 8/26/2012 3:03 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Another reason not to vote for Romney.

whysoangry - 8/22/2012 10:39 AM

0 Votes

Report User

It sounds like a newspaper, tv or other media should get the whole story. Perhaps someone who is not prejudiced? I have wondered myself how 1 man could attack so many and what are the others doing, just standing there? Could it be possible that an accused man is innocent? It has happened before. If there is foul play on the part of media, I personally would like an apology for getting me all worked up ready to lynch a man without a trial. AND I would advise him to sue. There is a link, click here to read the full story, funny how it is a very short story.

OpenMInded - 8/14/2012 10:48 AM

0 Votes

Report User

Is Sad how the news dont have their stories straight. first of all there was 5 man in that house, a oldery lady, a young girl and a women. he was passing by the house when they called him and told him they need it help inside the house. he went in and they attack him and bite him all over his body. but of course the media dont say that part. how on the hell can 1 man did what he did when there was 8 other people present at the house huh??? he didnt have no weapons, nothing that could of stop the man from defending him self. I know this man since I was very young never once did I see anything sick or perverted from him. I wish the media would tell the people how the story really went. this story is ridicules.

recinutah - 8/14/2012 9:35 AM

0 Votes

Report User

It is horrible that such a man could be called of God to lead a congregation. Perhaps the person who extended the calling was not in tune with the spirit. People make mistakes. God's kingdom on Earth is made up of people; fallible, imperfect people. He allows us to suffer the consequences of our imperfections in the hope that we might repent. I don't know how or why this wicked man was called to his position, but such things happen from time to time. It does not prove the church is untrue anymore than the many, many good and righteous leaders prove that it IS true. If you want to know it is true, you need to develop a relationship with He whose church it is.

Celticskeptic - 8/12/2012 10:47 AM

0 Votes

Report User

It's funny how many of these child molesters and sexual predators are called by "divine inspiration" to work these callings. If you still think the LDS church is true, you just aren't paying attention.

whysoangry - 8/11/2012 10:43 PM

0 Votes

Report User

This is a juducial blunder not a religious one. What makes you think the lds church leaders knew about the first attempt, huh? And do you really think an excommunication by the church would have stopped this man? The church doesn't have a jail, DUH! And if the courts had already pressed charges, what the heck was he doing back out on the street?Hating an entire religious group for the actions of a few fallen from the grace of God is bad!

believenomo - 8/10/2012 8:16 AM

1 Vote

Report User

With divine revelation this shouldn't have happened but all Mormon leaders are kidding themselves if they think they get it from God!

nUtard - 8/9/2012 5:53 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Having moved to Southern Utah in 2004 and knowing Mormons in California as just decent Christians, I have wondered what makes so many LDS members here so defensive and offensive. I'm not amazed or bewildered that a LDS branch president could be a sinful human being. What is peculiar is that many, such as Deidra, make the issue of LDS being the highlight. Many LDS, in this area, believe they are saints, God's own elect. I can't help but laugh. What religion doesn't make the claim that their way is exclusive, and every other way is heresy, demonic, false, or misleading? This man nearly bit off the pen-is of a 20 year old, molested his mother and attempted to molest his 13 year old sister. Indeed, those are horrible crimes, I hope justice is served. . .here and now. The fact that he was trusted as a spiritual leader and protector of a church that believes they have living prophets providing direct guidance and revelation from God. . .hello! Reality is here, wake up! This can happen in any religion, or non religion, even yours. What makes anyone special? I'll tell you, it's not an organized religion. It is a humble and contrite heart. Wide is the gate and narrow the way!

DeidraWhyte - 8/9/2012 1:29 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Why is the LDS part more of a highlight for the story than the crime. Really... If it was another religion would it have the same headline. It was sick man doing unspeakable things to another person. I wish he had suffered more injury. My thoughts go to the family. This was horrible for them. Attacking any church is not nice. Catholic's deal with this problem too. I hope the law sticks him in prison where he will get a decent punishment, they don't like molesters in there I've heard.

Click Here to Add Your Comments View All