A Bannock County man, Virgil Larson, is expected to plead guilty to giving children naked massages under a deal that would allow him to avoid registering as a sex offender. The plea agreement was signed on May 26 and he's set to make it official in court on July 6.
According to court records, the charges against Larson were changed from six counts of child sexual abuse to felony injury to a child, which does not require registration as a sex offender. Prosecutors will recommend a suspended prison sentence with no more than 30 years of probation.
The investigation began in July 2024 when a Bannock County Sheriff's deputy was informed that several boys had possibly been touched inappropriately by Larson during massages. The victims reported that the massages were done on their naked bodies, focusing on the buttocks. Seven minors came forward claiming to be victims, with one being an adult at the time of the abuse.
Larson originally pleaded not guilty in 2024 and was a leader at the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when the allegations surfaced. He discussed other victims with deputies but claimed he couldn't identify whether any were minors.
The case has sparked concern about child safety within religious organizations, with some questioning how Larson's actions went undetected for so long. The church quickly removed him from his position after three minors reported the abuse to their ward bishop.
**Background**
The incident highlights ongoing issues of child sexual abuse and the handling of such cases by institutions. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases involving leaders in various organizations being accused or convicted of similar crimes. This case is particularly notable as it involves a leader within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
While Larson's plea deal would allow him to avoid registering as a sex offender, some critics argue that this may not be sufficient given the severity of his alleged actions. The incident serves as a reminder for parents and institutions to prioritize child safety and take allegations seriously.