From Deseret News archives:
Fugitive polygamist leader Warren Jeffs arrested near Las Vegas
At a joint press conference outside the Las Vegas FBI headquarters, Steve Martinez, FBI special agent in charge, was joined by the director of the Nevada Department of Public Safety George Togliatti in an official announcement of Jeffs' apprehension.
Jeffs initially gave an alias to the trooper in the stop, but Togliatti said the trooper noticed the man looked similar to Jeffs, who has been on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted List since May. Those lists are routinely circulated to law enforcement across the country.
The stop on Interstate 15 about five miles north of the Las Vegas Speedway was prompted when the trooper saw a 2007 red Cadillac Escalade bearing a temporary tag issued in Colorado that was partially hidden.
Jeffs was a passenger in the SUV.
Two other people in the car, one of Warren Jeffs' wives, Naomi Jeffs, and his brother Isaac Jeffs, were questioned and released.
Authorities said the pair were released after consultation with FBI counterparts in Arizona and Utah.
Although law enforcement had feared a possible violent confrontation with Jeffs who was said to be armed and dangerous Martinez said a preliminary search of the vehicle revealed no weapons.
Earlier, a radio news reporter on scene when the vehicle was impounded subsequent to the arrest observed a number of items that were confiscated as possible evidence.
Among them:
27 stacks of money each containing $2,500
Two female wigs blond and brunette
14 cell phones
Two GPS navigation units
A Book of Mormon
A picture of Warren Jeffs and his father, Rulon.
It is unclear if Jeffs will go to Utah or to Arizona, where he faces sex crimes charges accusing him of forcing teenage girls into polygamous marriages with older men.
"Like anyone else, he will have the decision of whether or not he waives or fights extradition," said Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith, who filed criminal charges against Jeffs in 2005.
Comments
- Guv: No need to rush Snake Valley 4:49 p.m.
- Start mammograms at 50, not 40 3:28 p.m.
- Pitta named semifinalist for award 3:11 p.m.
- Time Warner to spin off AOL 3:08 p.m.
- GMAC CEO steps down 3:07 p.m.
- Man arrested in '03 kidnapping 3:07 p.m.
- Tenn. loses 2 players to crime 2:48 p.m.
- Michigan didn't keep players logs 2:47 p.m.
- Barzee to plead guilty 2:47 p.m.
- Censors block call to free the Web 2:46 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Barzee to plead guilty
- Williams returns to team
- Jazz notes: Young bigs ride bench
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
220 - Will state consider gay rights law?
157 - RSL heads to MLS title game
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
132 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
114 - MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
The Gateway, 400 W. 200 South, will kick off the holiday shopping season...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
What bishop of Kanab are you talking about? The first one or the last one?...
We are all dumber having read your comment.
Wow, some of you are quite critical of teachers. I have serious criticisms...
If that is the approach, to declare this a medical procedure, he is still...
Thank goodness for the international students who give us variety, help us...
get a life, get a job, do something...but quit wasting our time. Your...
I hope you were teaching computer science? There is always issues around...
I always think it's funny how guys say "Even I'd look good if Manning were...
You are right, those are valid facts - I just ran up against my 200 word...
Just so you know teams aren't turned around in the 1st year. In fact if you...


You can be the first to comment on this story.