FLDS prophet Warren Steed Jeffs could spend the remainder of his days in a Texas prison cell if he is convicted of the crime for which he now stands accused. Schleicher County grand jurors on Tuesday indicted Jeffs of 1st degree felony sexual assault of a child. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott was on hand and spent much of the day with the grand jurors as they reviewed evidence and heard witness testimony in the Schleicher County Memorial Building.
51st District Judge Barbara Walther arrived at the Memorial Building about midday and spent the afternoon, reportedly explaining the concept of immunity to reluctant witnesses as well as the perils of being held in contempt of court for refusing to testify.
Five of the six men indicted last week for alleged crimes at the YFZ Ranch surrendered to authorities Monday and were booked into the Schleicher County Jail. They remained locked up overnight and were arraigned before Justice of the Peace James C. Doyle Tuesday afternoon. An attorney from the Texas Attorney General’s Office was on hand for the arraignment hearing. The sixth suspect, Warren Steed Jeffs, 52, is in the Mohave County Jail in Kingman, Arizona where he faces charges of arranging and performing underage marriages. He was convicted last year on similar charges Washington County, Utah and was serving two consecutive 5-to-life sentences in the Utah State Prison before being transferred to Kingman to face the Arizona charges.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee turned its sights last Thursday on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado and several other FLDS enclaves scattered throughout the western United States. A group of federal and state officials and others knowledgeable about the inner workings of the FLDS community testified before the committee as the members explored the need for a federal task force to head up the investigation into crimes surrounding polygamy. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) requested the hearing which were chaired by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in the absence of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
Texas CPS files for custody of eight children from YFZ Ranch
Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00
Court documents show Warren Jeffs married to 12-year old girl at YFZ
Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) is asking a judge to place eight children into foster care because their mothers have refused to limit the children’s contact with men involved in underage marriages. The action comes as CPS completes the first investigations involving children removed in April from the Yearning for Zion (YFZ) Ranch in Eldorado. The children were returned to their families in June after a Supreme Court ruling while the CPS investigation continued. CPS expects to complete more related investigations in the coming weeks. The eight children involved represent four different families at the YFZ Ranch, including ranch overseer Frederick Merril Jessop and his wife Barbara Steed Jessop.
Four FLDS men remain in jail as grand jury prepares to meet again
Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00
Raymond Merril Jessop, 36, his brother Merril Leroy Jessop, 33, Michael George Emack, 57, and Allan Eugene Keate 56, remain behind bars at the Schleicher County Jail. They are each charged with Sexual Assault of a Child, a 1st degree felony. Raymond Merril Jessop is also charged with bigamy, also a first degree felony. The men turned themselves in last week after being indicted by a Schleicher County grand jury. The men are being held on a combined bond of $500,000.00. A source close to the investigation says that more indictments are expected when the grand jury reconvenes on Thursday, August 21st.
Worker dies at YFZ dairy
Thursday, 07 August 2008 00:00
William Sunderland Jessop, 29, died Thursday, July 31, 2008 while working at the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado. He was reportedly found at the dairy where he had been cleaning up. Unofficial reports indicate Jessop collapsed while working with a steam cleaner. He reportedly suffered burns over much of his body. Jessop’s body was discovered sometime later by ranch personnel. Jessop reportedly sustained a head injury several years ago as the result of a fall. He is said to have suffered seizures ever since. Sheriff David Doran and Justice of the Peace James C. Doyle were called to the scene where they were met by Dr. Lloyd Barlow. Judge Doyle ordered an autopsy since the death was not witnessed and the extent of the burns made it impossible to determine a cause of death. Sheriff Doran transported the body to Lubbock where an autopsy was conducted the following day. Results of the autopsy are pending but local authorities seem satisfied that the death was a result of natural causes. Funeral services for William S. Jessop were held Sunday on the YFZ Ranch. He is believed to be survived by two wives and at least six children. He is also survived by his parents, Merril and Ruth Jessop, as well as numerous brothers and sisters.
FLDS prophet Warren Steed Jeffs could spend the remainder of his days in a Texas prison cell if he is convicted of the crime for which he now stands accused. Schleicher County grand jurors on Tuesday indicted Jeffs of 1st degree felony sexual assault of a child. 
Raymond Merril Jessop, 36, his brother Merril Leroy Jessop, 33, Michael George Emack, 57, and Allan Eugene Keate 56, remain behind bars at the Schleicher County Jail. They are each charged with Sexual Assault of a Child, a 1st degree felony.