"I explained to both city councils these assessments would happen if they imposed these restrictions on subdividing," he said.

The FLDS' failure to respond to court papers, tax notices and even pleas from the judge has frustrated many. Since the trust was taken over, Wisan said he has struggled to get property taxes paid and enact court-ordered reforms to the trust. The resistance from FLDS faithful has often been because of edicts by leadership and Wisan believes this change of tactic is fallout from the raid on the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas.

"They've seen that this resist but don't legally fight hasn't worked," Wisan said. "I was told by a representative of the FLDS, 'We've seen the last default judgment and we're going to be fighting from now on.' In some ways it'll be interesting to have the FLDS come to the table, and be subject to deposition and cross examination."

Stirba could not say why the FLDS declined to address the situation back in 2005, but pointed out: "the days of the FLDS people not defending themselves in court is over."

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com