Crimes Against ChildrenFormer bishop found with child sexual abuse material on phone after arrest during prostitution stingby: Sorina TrauntveinPosted: Sep 1, 2026 / 10:10 AM MDTUpdated:

Content warning: This article contains information about alleged child sexual abuse material. Reader discretion is advised. Report CSAM to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency. 

PERRY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A former bishop from Layton has been charged with allegedly attempting to meet with a prostitute and possessing explicit images of children.

Eric Hans Monson has been charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony. In another case, he faces one count of patronizing a prostituted adult, a Class A misdemeanor, and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, a Class C misdemeanor.

On Aug. 14, according to court documents, Perry City Police were working on an undercover prostitution operation and posted an “ad” on social media, depicting an adult female offering sex work.

That same day, a user under the name “emons6” saw the ad and made contact, writing that he was 57 years old, from Kaysville, and wanted to meet up. He asked for discretion because of his marriage.