From Deseret News archives:
Utah and Arizona building additional criminal cases against Jeffs
"I'm hoping that other people come forward," said Gary Engels, an investigator with the Mohave County (Ariz.) Attorney's Office.
Engels confirmed to the Deseret Morning News he has additional investigations under way into Jeffs, who was convicted in 5th District Court earlier this week of charges of rape as an accomplice, stemming from a marriage he performed between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin.
Washington County prosecutors are now pursuing a rape case against Allen Steed, the groom in that marriage. He was charged Wednesday and is scheduled to be arraigned here on Oct. 4.
However, authorities are keeping tight-lipped about what else they are pursuing Jeffs for.
"To that, I can't speak to. I really don't want to comment on that," Engels said.
Engels said he has no evidence that child-bride marriages are continuing within the FLDS communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz.
"I really couldn't tell you if they've stopped or not, but I'm sure they've probably slowed down," he said. "Obviously, someone else is having to perform them now."
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has told the Deseret Morning News that his office has been conducting an organized crime probe into Jeffs and the FLDS Church. It stems from the court takeover of the church's financial arm, the United Effort Plan Trust, amid allegations that Jeffs and other FLDS leaders were siphoning money from it.
In 2005, the courts took control of the $100 million trust, which controls homes, businesses and properties in Hildale, Colorado City and the FLDS Church's enclave in Bountiful, British Columbia, in Canada.
Shurtleff and Engels said they would like to see the evidence the FBI seized from a Cadillac Escalade that Jeffs was riding in when he was arrested last year.
On Thursday, a Utah State Courts spokeswoman said that any documents sealed in Jeffs' trial here will remain sealed because of the potential impact they could have on the FLDS leader's cases in Arizona. That could include jailhouse statements that Jeffs has made.
Shurtleff said Jeffs now has an opportunity to cooperate with law enforcement.
Comments
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime 12:50 a.m.
- Iverson may be headed to 76ers 12:34 a.m.
- Credit Coug defense for win 12:33 a.m.
- Aggies blow away T-birds 12:32 a.m.
- Mo steals show in Cavaliers' victory 12:31 a.m.
- Editorial: Facilitate Big Brother? 12:22 a.m.
- Mom befriends wife of PTSD vet 12:21 a.m.
- Political clash over U.S. debt 12:21 a.m.
- Cougar defense rose to occasion 12:21 a.m.
- Lawmakers face ethics debate 12:19 a.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
394 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
130 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73 - Letters: C02 causes warming
70
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
It's BEER, not acid people! Some people love having it sprayed on themselves....
I believe Max Hall cemented his legacy tonight with his lack of...
I find it interesting that these comment come after a so-so performance in a...
If you really think BYU is more arrogant than USC or UCLA or so many other...
cougars baby!!!!!
I have one word for the BYU AND UTAH fans: TCU!!!! hahahaha
Two great examples of lack of class surfaced tonight: Pete Carroll, USC's...
Don't forget my favorite Max stat. 2 out of 3. Yeah, I bet that...
Thanks for the comment Max! I hope you keep on playing just like you have...
Neat article! (Yes, I'm a little biased :) It's been an exciting time to be...




You can be the first to comment on this story.