FLDS leader may be moving flock to Texas

HILDALE, Utah — No one in this secluded polygamous town along the Arizona border is necessarily sure what it'll look like a month from now. They don't know where they'll live, who will live with them or whether they'll be torn from their families and neighbors and uprooted two states away.

At least, if they do know, they're not saying. And neither is the man who will make that decision for them — the reclusive prophet of the polygamous Fundamental Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints, who is reportedly building a new, heavily fortified compound in Texas where he and his closest supporters will live.

"I'm not in a position where I would know much about it. So I don't know that I could really comment one way or the other," said church member David Zitting, who is also Hildale's mayor. "I just can't say what's going to happen."

Observers of the FLDS Church, however, are convinced church prophet Warren Jeffs — who has a reported 50-70 wives — is culling his flock and preparing the most devout followers for the move to Texas to avoid prosecution in Utah on allegations of forced child marriages, sexual abuse, welfare fraud and tax evasion.

Authorities say the claims haven't produced criminal charges because they can't get anyone to talk to them in this distrustful enclave.

"Warren's going to pick out the most devout followers of him and then move them (to Texas.) He's got to keep (the cities) going because they're his slaves," said Sam Brower, a detective hired by former church members who's investigated the sect for two years.

Aside from a 1953 raid in which authorities swept in and arrested polygamists and took custody of children, this town, and its counterpart just down the road, Colorado City, Ariz., have mostly been able to live in seclusion, in full obedience to their prophet and with their belief that men cannot get into heaven unless they have at least three wives.

But as Utah and Arizona authorities intensify investigations, that may be about to change.

And Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says he's going to keep pursuing Jeffs and the group, in-state or not.

"Some people say, yeah, be glad they're moving. They're no longer your problem. I don't feel that way," Shurtleff said. "I want to bring to justice anybody in that group, Warren Jeffs or others, who have committed crimes."

But Rod Parker, an attorney who has represented Jeffs and other church members, said it's that mentality that has forced the communities into seclusion and secrecy and instilled a broad fear of law enforcement.