Sheriff, FLDS city manager trade accusations

KINGMAN, Ariz. — A simple request to find new housing for county, state and federal offices in the polygamous town of Colorado City quickly turned into a battle between two residents from Colorado City and the Mohave County sheriff.

During a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, District III supervisor Buster Johnson asked that the board direct county staff to start looking for a new home for county, state and federal offices that were housed inside a mobile trailer on property leased from Mohave Community College. The college decided not to renew the lease with the county earlier this month and the offices must be moved off the property.

Colorado City Town Manager David Darger questioned why the Mohave County Sheriff's Office was targeting his citizens and the town's police department. Colorado City and the Utah town of Hildale, Washington County, are both home to the Fundamentalist LDS Church.

He objected to comments made by Sheriff Tom Sheahan during a recent meeting, during which Darger said the sheriff alleged that the officers of the Colorado City Police Department were unfit for duty and he was attempting to decertify its officers.

"This wholesale attack on the city police department is far outside the bounds of propriety," Darger said.

He also asked about the "strong message" Sheahan said he wanted to send to the FLDS community.

Did that include deputies who arrested two FLDS farmers for plowing land last week in an ownership dispute, he asked. Or other deputies that were seen "targeting" drivers entering or leaving the college campus?

"Yes, this is a message. Is it a message of retaliation? I don't know. Is this a waste of taxpayers' dollars or a personal vendetta? I don't know," Darger said. "There's always room for improvement. We've always tried to work with neighboring agencies, such as the county sheriff, but how can we if he refuses?"

The town has filed a complaint with the offices of the Arizona governor and attorney general about the activities of the sheriff's office, he said.

The sheriff's office confirmed that more officers were in the Colorado City area last week for training purposes and investigating crimes. The department regularly rotates deputies throughout the county in order to familiarize them with the different areas, said sheriff's spokeswoman Trish Carter.

"We have a duty to provide services to our citizens," she said. "We would rather not waste both of our agencies' time and resources. We would like to see our resources used to the best benefit of Colorado City and Mohave County."