Alleged victim testifies in sexual assault trial against reported LDS church leader

(ABC 6 News) – The alleged victim, who is a minor, testified in the sexual misconduct trial against 37-year-old Michael Adam Davis on Wednesday.

Davis volunteered as Elder Quorum President at the Kasson Branch of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, which is where he first met the alleged victim in 2018.

ABC 6 News usually does not name juveniles or victims of sexual assault.

The alleged victim’s mother, adopted father and aunt also testified to the nature of Davis’s relationship and position within the church.

The mother’s testimony said her son and Davis formed a relationship at the church that led to the alleged victim going over to Davis’s home on the weekends and sometimes overnight. The pair would play computer games and play with Davis’s six or seven pet rabbits, according to the alleged victim.

"Did you have any concern for [the alleged victim’s] wellbeing?" asked Olmsted County Assistant Attorney Geoffrey Hjerleid.

"We thought he would be in good hands being with a church member," answered the alleged victim’s mother, who went on to describe her anger at the betrayal.

During, what the family described, as winter break, the alleged victim said Davis forced him into three separate sexual acts.

One topic of discussion in court Wednesday was whether or not Davis held a position of authority in the church. The parents testified that he was a mentor or a young boys’ leader.

The alleged victim testified that no mentorship or bible study ever took place between him and Davis.

The alleged victim also testified that Davis gave him gifts before and after the accused abuse, including a smartphone, new boots, and a key to Davis’s house.

"I thought he was somebody I could trust," the alleged victim said.

Davis is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count of indecent exposure in front of a minor.