Still, the superintendent said he wants to go out to the ranch to see for himself the home schooling that is taking place. He also has no idea how many children are on the ranch.

"They said education is a high priority to them," Collins said of his visit with the FLDS members. "They are articulate, educated ... the people that we spoke with."

Doran said he is working with FLDS members to arrange an on-site visit. The sheriff and other county officials have been allowed out on the ranch with some frequency for things like building inspections.

Jeffs, 50, was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list until being arrested in a traffic stop outside Las Vegas last month. He is being held in the Purgatory Jail without bail pending a court appearance Wednesday in St. George.

Jeffs is charged with two counts of rape as an accomplice, a first-degree felony. He is accused of forcing a teenage girl into a polygamous marriage and threatening her with damnation when she tried to leave. Jeffs faces up to life in prison if convicted.

In Mohave County, Ariz., prosecutors have charged Jeffs with sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com