From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Woman confronts former Mormon leader she says molested her decades ago as a child at Chicago-area church
Woman accuses ex-Mormon leader of child molestation decades ago, seeks accountability as he faces sentencing.
In brief
Woman accuses ex-Mormon leader of child molestation decades ago, seeks accountability as he faces sentencing. Michele Boehmke, a Crystal Lake native, confronted Wade Christofferson, a former Mormon leader she claims abused her as a child, after he was arrested for recent child exploitation charges. Originally reported…
Michele Boehmke
Michele Boehmke, a Crystal Lake native, grew up in a northwest suburban Mormon congregation where she claims Wade Christofferson sexually abused her as a child.
“I don’t know why you get to continue living a comfortable life with the things you’ve done”
Wade Christofferson
Wade Christofferson, a former Mormon leader, was arrested last November on child exploitation charges related to sexual abuse of two children in Ohio and Utah.
“I fully admit I made mistakes earlier in my life, I did things that were wrong earlier in my life.”
2022 Confrontation
In 2022, Boehmke secretly recorded a confrontation with Christofferson at his Ohio home where she demanded accountability for past abuse.
“I don’t know why you get to continue living a comfortable life with the things you’ve done”
Court Hearing
Christofferson is expected to be sentenced in coming months for coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a sentence of at least 10 years in prison.
“I’ve repented of them, haven’t repeated those, I’ve changed.”
Child Abuse Claims
Boehmke claims Christofferson sexually abused her as a child in Crystal Lake in the 1990s and possibly the 1980s, with a history of abuse in the Chicago area.
“I think the world should know who you are, who your true self is.”
Church Response
Church officials excommunicated Christofferson in the 1990s but he was later rebaptized and restored to regular status before moving to Columbus, Ohio.
“He was not informed of the specific reasons and had no reason to suspect it was for abuse.”
D. Todd Christofferson
D. Todd Christofferson, part of the church’s first presidency, learned of his brother’s abuse accusations around 2020 but did not report them to authorities.
“It was not until around 2020 that President Christofferson first learned of, through family disclosure, some of his brother’s history of abuse from thirty years earlier.”
Legal Action
Boehmke plans to attend Christofferson’s upcoming court hearing and hopes to testify to ensure he is never released from prison.
“I don’t forgive you, and I’m the victim.”
Abuse Impact
Boehmke says the abuse has caused long-term trauma, including a hatred of her body, abusive relationships, and a changed life trajectory.
“My teen years were so difficult ... I continue to live with a hatred of my body.”
Church Secrecy
Church officials in Illinois knew about Christofferson’s abuse history but kept it secret, with Boehmke stating nobody told anyone about the issue.
“Nobody told anybody. How did nobody think, maybe the police should know about this?”
Recent Arrest
Christofferson was arrested last November on child exploitation charges related to sexual abuse of two children in Ohio and Utah over the last few years up until late 2025.
“I apologize for the harm and hurt I’ve caused you over the years.”
Mormon Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has faced repeated accusations of hiding child abuse allegations and favoring abusers over victims.
“The church has been mired in a child sex abuse scandal for years and has been repeatedly accused of hiding allegations.”
Legal History
Christofferson was excommunicated in the 1990s for abuse claims but was later rebaptized and restored to regular status before moving to Columbus, Ohio.
“He was soon rebaptized, restored to regular status, before moving to the Columbus area.”
Family Response
Christofferson’s brother, D. Todd Christofferson, acknowledged knowing about his brother’s abuse history around 2020 but did not report it to authorities.
“It was not until around 2020 that President Christofferson first learned of, through family disclosure, some of his brother’s history of abuse from thirty years earlier.”
Current Status
Christofferson is expected to be sentenced in coming months for coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a sentence of at least 10 years in prison.
“He pleaded guilty in June to coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a sentence of at least 10 years in prison up to a life term.”
Consequence
Boehmke plans to attend Christofferson’s court hearing to ensure he is never released from prison, highlighting the church’s failure to protect children.
“You may think you have to answer for these things in the next life. I think you need to answer right now.”
The takeaway
Michele Boehmke, a Crystal Lake native, confronted Wade Christofferson, a former Mormon leader she claims abused her as a child, after he was arrested for recent child exploitation charges.
