Warren Jeffs, the embattled leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, appeared in a Kingman, Arizona courtroom on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, and entered not guilty pleas to a series of sex charges stemming from his involvement in arranging marriages between three underage girls and his older male followers.
Courtroom observers noted that Jeffs appeared gaunt. His attorney acknowledged recently that he has been undergoing a self-imposed hunger strike.
The Utah Police Offices Standards Board on Monday revoked the certifications of Hildale, Utah marshals Fred Barlow and Preston Barlow. The officers, who formerly served in the polygamous community that straddles the Utah/Arizona line, were found to be more loyal to convicted FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs than they were to upholding the law.
The two officers had written letters to Jeffs while he was on the run and listed and while he was on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List in which they pledged their loyalty to him as their prophet.
ELDORADO, Texas - Two buses from First Baptist Church of Eldorado were used Friday afternoon to remove 52 children, mostly girls, from the YFZ Ranch, a large Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints complex north of Eldorado, Texas.
Residents of the YFZ Ranch are members of the church once led by self-proclaimed prophet Warren Jeffs, who was convicted last year in Washington County, Utah on two counts of rape as an accomplice for his role in arranging and performing a marriage between one of his male followers and his underage cousin.
Child Protective Services removes 416 children from YFZ compound
Law enforcement officers from all over West Texas converged on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado last Thursday for an unprecedented raid on the Fundamentalist Mormon compound.
Lawmen quickly blocked all the roads leading into and out of the 1,691 acre ranch while others surrounded the property and established a perimeter that remains in place at press time on Wednesday morning. During that time, authorities removed 416 children and 139 adult women from the ranch.
Likewise, a TFR or Temporary Flight Restriction zone was implemented over the compound as the raid began. The TFR remained in place throughout he weekend. The was lifted Tuesday allowing Success photographer Kathy Mankin managed to fly over with a CBS News crew to photograph the ongoing raid.
FBI agents arrive Tuesday as feds get in on the act
Two men have been jailed in connection with the raid on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado last week, both for interfering with the investigation.
Levi Barlow Jeffs, 19, was arrested on Sunday, April 6, 2008 and charged with Interfering with the Duties of a Public Servant, a Class B misdemeanor. Jeffs is the son of convicted FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs. He was arraigned before Peace Justice James C. Doyle and was released on $1,000 cash bond.
Leroy Johnson Steed was arrested Monday, April 7, 2008, and charged with Tampering or Fabricating Evidence with Intent to Impair, a third degree felony. He, too, was arraigned before Peace Justice James C. Doyle. Steed was released on $15,000 cash bond. Steed is the owner of RS Supply, Inc., a Texas Corporation based in at the YFZ Ranch.
As the children from the YFZ Ranch began streaming into town in convoys of buses, help came pouring in from all over the city. A need was presented and within the hour a delivery of fresh fruit, water, juice boxes and more were delivered to the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church. Rick and Lori Stricklan from Community Baptist Church were in San Angelo and checked in to see what was the most important need.
Law enforcement officers from all over West Texas converged on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado last Thursday for an unprecedented raid on the Fundamentalist Mormon compound.
Two men have been jailed in connection with the raid on the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado last week, both for interfering with the investigation.
As the children from the YFZ Ranch began streaming into town in convoys of buses, help came pouring in from all over the city. A need was presented and within the hour a delivery of fresh fruit, water, juice boxes and more were delivered to the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church. Rick and Lori Stricklan from Community Baptist Church were in San Angelo and checked in to see what was the most important need.