From Deseret News archives:
Jeffs, FLDS members indicted in Texas
A Schleicher County grand jury indicted Jeffs late Tuesday, alongside five other FLDS members. Their indictments remain sealed because they have not been taken into custody.
"I believe they're not in the area," Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran told the Deseret News Tuesday night.
Four of those men were indicted on charges of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 17 and one man received an additional charge of bigamy. Those charges are all first-degree felonies that carry a potential of 99 years in prison or even a life sentence. The last man was indicted on three misdemeanor counts of failing to report child abuse, which could garner six months in jail.
"We are certainly shocked," FLDS member Willie Jessop said Tuesday night. "We'll face those allegations as soon as we know who they're looking for. We think it's ridiculous."
The indictment accuses Jeffs of committing the offense around Jan. 14, 2005, in Schleicher County. Jeffs sexually assaulted a girl under age 17 whom under Texas law he "was prohibited from marrying or purporting to marry" or "living under the appearance of being married," the indictment said.
The YFZ ranch was raided in April, and hundreds of boxes of evidence were seized as Texas child welfare workers and law enforcement investigated allegations of abuse.
"I just believe the state of Texas is going to continue to move forward on this and continue investigation and identify crimes that have been committed," Doran said.
Reaction
Bail for Jeffs was set at $100,000, even though the FLDS leader is already in custody in Kingman, Ariz., where he is facing trial on sexual misconduct charges accusing him of performing underage marriages. Jeffs was convicted in Utah last year of rape as an accomplice, for performing a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin, and sentenced to a pair of 5-to-life prison terms.
Elissa Wall, who was the star witness in the Utah case, declined to comment on the indictment, her attorney said Tuesday.
"As her lawyer, I'm not surprised," Roger Hoole said. "I am confident that as law enforcement follows the evidence, they will be able to further address the systematic child abuse that occurs in the FLDS community."
Recent comments
Dear Weatherizer:
for you information, it's not "Paddy
Wagon," as...
Sleuth | July 24, 2008 at 8:47 a.m.
To add to Texas Law's comment. A minor under the age of 16 must get a...
Texas2 | July 23, 2008 at 6:51 p.m.
re - Think!!! 4:30pm
No need to yell. You sound all frustrated....
realitycheck | July 23, 2008 at 5:45 p.m.
- Obama: Plans will increase hiring 10:11 p.m.
- Battle goes to PG's Hamson 10:04 p.m.
- Murder case starts for juvenile 10:03 p.m.
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony 10:03 p.m.
- Higher school math requirements? 10:01 p.m.
- Santa to visit Gateway museum 9:58 p.m.
- Lawsuit: Salahis bounced $24K check 9:58 p.m.
- USU Season at a glance 9:55 p.m.
- Utahn aiding poor 9:55 p.m.
- Bennett seeks to stall N-waste bill 9:54 p.m.
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- 5A high school football All-State
- Miller predicted Tiger's rough road
- Utah Jazz going green with unis
- 4A high school football: All-State
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- Nutty Putty Cave to be sealed today
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
409 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
293 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
236 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
184 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Religion in politics is tiresome
158 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
117 - Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
117
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
But the burning question is, why did Dr. Jennifer Skeem find "Laughing Boy"...
Karen- I'm glad you're comfortable with Muslims because looking at...
And the rest of us are still trying to figure out why. The press also...
He was no doubt a great football player, but an even greater man. What a...
Hopefully Tuni Can help byu WIN a bowl game!
For simply one passing reference you post a photo of Brady. At least you...
Happy to see such a great ex-Aggie be honored. I am sorry I will not be at...
It is interesting to see University Prof's discussing the role Glenn Beck in...
Sorry, Dale, but those books are too long and use too many big words for most...
I LOVE BYU. it's my school. they thing is BYU is at least two years away from...



