From Deseret News archives:
More FLDS indictments today?
Six men, including FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, have already been indicted on charges ranging from sexual assault to bigamy and failure to report child abuse. If evidence entered into court in nearby San Angelo is any indication, more members of the Utah-based polygamous sect can expect to face criminal charges.
Marriage records, bishop's records, dictations, love letters, diaries and photographs were among the hundreds of thousands of pieces of evidence seized during the April raid on the church's YFZ Ranch. Some of that evidence has been used in child-custody cases that played out this week in nearby San Angelo.
A list of underage girls allegedly married to older men, compiled by Texas Child Protective Services, gives indications as to who is under investigation. Some of the cases involve men who have already been indicted.
The Texas Attorney General's Office, which is heading up the prosecutions, will only say the case remains under investigation.
Warren Jeffs himself is believed to have married at least four girls, including a 14-year-old girl who was ordered back into foster care on Tuesday after a judge ruled her mother, Barbara Jessop, was unable to protect her from abuse. Authorities allege that at age 12, the girl was wed to Jeffs in a ceremony performed by her father, YFZ Ranch leader Merril Jessop.
Another 12-year-old girl is seen in photographs beaming next to a photo of Jeffs. A letter, in neat cursive, is written around the pictures.
"I have been missing you," she wrote to her then-fugitive husband. "I love your Heavenly smile shining bright. Thank you sweet heart for all you do. ... I yearn to only do your will in all I do. I am praying to become a Heavenly comfort wife for you. I love you so much I pray I may be worthy to advance. I fill (sic) you so close. Love always."
Jeffs, 52, is currently in an Arizona jail facing trial on sexual misconduct charges, accusing him of performing underage marriages. Jeffs was convicted and sentenced to five years to life in Utah for rape as an accomplice for performing a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin.
Recent comments
In Thailand that average marriage age for females is under 10....
John Pack Lambert | Aug. 21, 2008 at 7:22 p.m.
re anonymous 3:05pm | 3:36
"so in your opinion, it is worse to
put...
Anonymous | Aug. 21, 2008 at 7:17 p.m.
By the time they're done, Texas will have proven that in fact they...
Sarah | Aug. 21, 2008 at 4:46 p.m.
A 12-year-old girl, with face blurred to protect her identity, holds a picture of her purported husband, FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, in a photograph that was part of a letter penned by the girl. Both were exhibits in a child-custody battle involving another girl in 51st District Court in San Angelo, Texas.
- Day care means TV time, study finds 10:51 p.m.
- Brithdays for Monday, Nov. 23 10:50 p.m.
- 'Origin' to be auctioned 10:49 p.m.
- 7 bulls used for movie break free 10:48 p.m.
- Jackson's doctor goes back to work 10:47 p.m.
- 9/11 defendants want to air views 10:37 p.m.
- SUU sweeps conference honors 10:37 p.m.
- Some Dems. want big changes 10:37 p.m.
- Jackson makes history with 4 AMAs 10:36 p.m.
- USF hands Aggies first loss 10:35 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
185 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
98 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
they said on the radio that the team comes back: RETURN DATE: MONDAY 11/23...
Andy Williams to me was the man of the match, even with the missed PK. He...
Who cares how they would do against Real Madrid or any other Euro team? They...
The Organized religious community has brought comfort, aid and healing to...
Right..... just like how college football doesn't matter because there's the...
I feel like Kreis is gonna be the coach on our team for the next three...
I can't wait for tomorrow's issue. I am saving my deseret news newspaper of...
People bottom line, DEMAND a government that fits inside the constitution.
Nobody cared about this game? Yeah, nobody really knows who some guy named...
You don't have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this game and pull for the...

