Court Hearing for ex-Mormon Bishop Continued to Aug. 14

A felony settlement conference regarding criminal charges of sexual battery against a former Mormon bishop from Menifee was continued to Aug. 14.

Today in Riverside Superior Court, the judge in this case continued the settlement conference involving Todd M. Edwards, who faces charges of sexual battery, sexual penetration with a foreign object upon a minor and dissuading a witness or victim. Edwards earlier entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

According to a police investigation, the alleged criminal acts involved two teenage girls in separate incidents. According to police documents, the suspect was known by the victims and their families. The alleged sexual assaults occurred in November 2006 and February 2012.

According to officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Edwards was released as bishop of the Menifee Ward when the allegations came to light.

According to legal experts, a felony settlement conference is a meeting with the prosecutor, defense attorney and judge, usually to discuss whether a settlement can be reached and a trial avoided.

Edwards remains in custody. Bail was set at $65,000 by judge Becky L. Dugan last month and a June 27 motion by the defense to reduce the bail amount was denied.