Judge Denies LDS Leader’s Request to Drop Sexual Abuse Charges
By Derek Sullivan
An Oakland man will stand trial on sexual abuse charges after his motion to dismiss charges was denied Monday. James Raborn, 26, has been charged with two felony counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, two misdemeanor counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist as well as single misdemeanor counts of dissemination or exhibition of obscene materials to minors and purchase or possession of a depiction of a minor in a sex act. If convicted of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist, a Class D felony, Raborn could receive up to five years in prison on each count. On March 23, Raborn’s attorney, Jordan Glaser, filed a motion to dismiss the charges. In April, Fourth Judicial District Chief Judge Jeffrey Larson heard arguments from Glaser and prosecutor Shelly Sudmann on the motion. On Monday, Larson denied Raborn’s motion to dismiss. In testimony filed by Sudmann, Raborn held the title of “Ward Young Men President” with the local Mormon chuch – aka the Church of Latter Day Saints – and that he served as a member of the ward priesthood executive committee, the ward council and the bishopric youth committee. Sudmann said she could also prove Raborn’s specific duties in this role, which included participating in efforts to build faith and strengthen individuals and families. According to Raborn’s arrest affidavit, investigators with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office said Raborn met the 16-year-old girls in his role as ward young men president. In the arrest affidavit, the teens are listed only as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. Jane Doe 1 reportedly met Raborn in July 2015 and later introduced him to Jane Doe 2. According to the affidavit, Jane Doe 1 met with authorities on Nov. 12, and Jane Doe 2 was interviewed on Dec. 4. Both reportedly said they performed sexual acts with Raborn and received explicit pictures from the suspect. With a search warrant, investigators searched residences in Oakland and Red Oak and reported finding explicit pictures of Jane Doe 2 as well as text messages between the two of them describing their encounters. The two teens also turned over to authorities gifts of jewelry, clothes and memorabilia that they allegedly received from Raborn. On Tuesday, a trial date of June 1 was initially set for Raborn. Whether both sides will be ready in two weeks remains to be seen. When reached for comment on Tuesday, Glaser said he expects a mid-August trial. According to court documents, Glaser filed the motion to dismiss because the state’s case against Raborn was devoid of any evidence that Raborn provided or purported to provide mental health services to the alleged victims. According to Raborn, the counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist are inappropriate, because state’s evidence merely alleges or indicates personal relationships between Raborn and the teens. Larson did not agree with Glaser and denied the motion. Raborn was arrested on Feb. 12 and posted $65,000 bond one day later. He officially pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 4. Contact: dsullivan@nonpareilonline.com
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