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FLDS criminal cases building

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hmmmmm | 12:57 a.m. May 27, 2008
i suppose the RED escalade and the cash and prizes were 'photoshoped' too.......
CougarKeith | 12:58 a.m. May 27, 2008
Sadly anyone over the "Legal Age" and then some, having sex (Married Or Not) with someone under age IS WRONG in the 20th and 21st centuries in the United States of America! These men should be prosecuted! 19 with a 14 and "Married" is questionable. I feel for the Children and Women in the Texas colony (It isn't a COMPOUND), they have had their rights infringed upon, whether or not the so called men of the colony were ABUSING THEM, it was handled COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE! GO GET THE GUILTY MEN, Leave the women and children alone!!!
Proposed Solution | 1:12 a.m. May 27, 2008
It is extremely important that the US and states take action to stop and end polygamous marriages. If nothing else, it takes a huge toll on the children of these marriages and it is also not healthy for society to have these separate groups or communes.

However, it simply does not guarantee the well-being of the children to have CPS take the children from the mothers, so the children should remain with the mothers, while the fathers should be legally and physically refrained from staying with the families except for 'visitation' type rights.

It was also rough for our Mormon ancestors to end this practice and it took at least one generation. It is imperative in this case of the FLDS and all similar groups that we begin.
Comments continue below
Thomas | 1:15 a.m. May 27, 2008
Please leave these people alone.
L. G. KIRKPATRICK | 2:22 a.m. May 27, 2008
"The state hinted at witnesses that would create more fireworks and 51st District Judge Barbara Walther, stung by the appellate court's criticism, egged the department on." From Tuesday, May 27, 2008, on-line edition of Salt Lake Tribune.

I'm not sure if the "egged" is intended as Judge Walther encouraging and prodding CPS in its persecution of the FLDS, or if it's meant as in "we egged the CPS on Halloween night".

Whichever, this is the best example I've seen yet of the "Hanging Judge" displaying gross misconduct and abdication of responsibility in this travesty of justice. She needs, IMHO, to be IMMEDIATELY jerked from the bench, severely reprimanded, and PERMANENTLY DISBARRED from the Texas legal scene.

Enough is enough, and this is too much. I would not condone open violence against this kangaroo court, but the scenario is attractive.

Eye Dee Ten Tee | 3:45 a.m. May 27, 2008
I hope that all the evidence taken from the YFZ ranch will be admissable, and not thrown out because of the overzealous law enforcement and CPS authorities. If they were so interested in protecting the children, maybe they could have read the laws first, or at least reviewed their 8th grade civics textbook. (Do they still include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in textbooks?)
Anyway, if they had followed the rule of law and built a solid case on available evidence, or had at least tried to infiltrate the compound legally, they would have better probability of removing the children from the compound and getting them to a place where they could make their own decision on who and when they marry.
Ronald A. Young | 3:55 a.m. May 27, 2008
Good!! The sooner the better.
St00p1d | 4:37 a.m. May 27, 2008
Any comments that Deseret News does not agree with will also not be posted.
Fooling Themselves | 4:58 a.m. May 27, 2008
It's time for the FLDS to wake up and realize that Warren Jeffs is not an inspired leader, but a child abusing pedophile.
Momotaro | 6:01 a.m. May 27, 2008
Build the criminal case and prosecute those who have broken the law. But release the hundreds of innocent children.
moniker | 6:14 a.m. May 27, 2008
One of the girls in the photos with Jeffs is a 13 year old(according to Texas) that is in Texas state custody.

The state also says it gave her a physical exam and and yet has not made any charges.

From the girls pershpective, who has forcibly violated her, Texas of Jeffs?

If the so-called exam had been done focibly by anyone else what would we call that?

No one should have the power to forcibly violate a child.
Silver Fox says... | 6:37 a.m. May 27, 2008
Something big is building. It looks rather ominous for the FLDS. The legacy of an ugly form of polygamy continues. Was there ever a good form of polygamy? My grandparents practiced polygamy prior to the manifesto. I am monogamous.
Anonymous | 6:46 a.m. May 27, 2008
If the raid was illegal then the search warrant that took the evidence was also. What idiots. Most lawyers will get those things dismissed leaving the state without a leg to stand on. Texas should have done the search correctly so those documents could be used in court.
michaelh | 6:55 a.m. May 27, 2008
Texas CPS distributed photographs to the media of an underage girl being sexually molested by Warren Jeffs. By not concealing the identity of the victim Texas CPS has violated the law and has become interstate child pornographers. Since the CPS is a community they as a community should be arrested and charged with this crime, have their personal information published on the national sex offender registry and as sex offenders FIRED!!!
plankton | 6:59 a.m. May 27, 2008
If the state can raid that ranch and take captive so many children based on an allegation that has since all but proved false, and in such an all cost manner...whats to stop them from construing the evidence anyway they want?
john b | 7:02 a.m. May 27, 2008
? How does A man in A closed group marry more than one at A time with out the women knowing hes already married?
Wallis Beach | 7:13 a.m. May 27, 2008
Time to shut the religious prison down. Go texas.
Please Wake up FLDS! | 7:30 a.m. May 27, 2008
Someday, the FLDS will wake up and realize that Warren Jeffs is not the righteous "prophet" they've been taught to trust and believe in, but an uninspired pedophile.

The video of Warren confessing that he is a false prophet is real.

The pictures of Warren passionately kissing a young girl aren't doctored,

The eyewitnesses aren't lying.

The young girls he has raped personally or has forced into arranged marriages to be raped by his friends are real.

The boys he has kicked out of the community are real.

The families he has destroyed by reassigning them to new fathers are real.

There are many qualities to admire about the devotion that the FLDS have to their faith. Unfortunately, that devotion has been used by an evil, brain-washing, power-hungry, child-abusing pedophile to corrupt, enslave and destroy the lives of the FLDS children and mothers.
I have many | 7:31 a.m. May 27, 2008
photo's of my husband, who is not blood related to our daughter, hugging and holding her close to him. It is not 'creepy', as we know the background of both my husband and our adopted daughters. This is 'creepy' because we know Jeff's background. BUT, is this what we are really seeing, or is what Texas CPS wants us to 'see'? I am in no way defending Jeffs. He is where he needs to be, and perhaps for eternity. But could this just be an innocent photo? I think any crimes must be dealt with. But send the other children home. If all you've got is a questionalbe photo - and one similar to many families - then you gots nutting.
JND | 7:52 a.m. May 27, 2008
Dear michaelh,

You wish!

Have a nice day.
THINK ABOUT IT ! | 8:04 a.m. May 27, 2008
CORRECTION...DALE BARLOW...NOT DAN...my mistake.
Grandpa Phil | 8:04 a.m. May 27, 2008
As soon as the Appelate Court decision was made, every one of those FLDS kids was in more trouble. CPS and Judge Walther are not the kind that will sit calmy and listen to such critism. Their only vindication will come in forcing some type of incriminating testimony out of those kids while they are still in captivity. They are NOT going down without a fight and those children are going to suffer the brunt of this still. Case workers will descend on every foster home and group home in Texas with instructions to extract SOMETHING out of those kids that CPS can use to vindicate themselves and what they did. It would not surprise me a bit to see a host of new allegations of abuse all of a sudden being published by Texas CPS. As ALWAYS, the children will be the losers at the hand of CPS. This is not longer about child abuse; it is about Texas CPS and the Judge saving face.
hello | 8:10 a.m. May 27, 2008
THE CPS TREATED EVERYONE AT THE COMPOUND AS ONE FAMILY BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL INBRED RELATED!!!! you are a barlow or a jessop
Interloper | 8:12 a.m. May 27, 2008
I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. At the very least, I expect Warren Jeffs to be indicted for actual rape of a minor. The men who fathered children with girls who were 13-16 at the time should also be in the first round of charges. There might be a warrant for Merril Jessop, since he has been performing the role of Warren Jeffs in the illegal marriages. Or perhaps Willie Jessop, though he may disappear before that happens.
texas | 8:20 a.m. May 27, 2008
follow the paper trail....follow the money to find the source of the stink.

-old chinese saying
L. G. KIRKPATRICK | 8:25 a.m. May 27, 2008
Folks, this despicable act of treason by Texas must end now -- today -- not later this week, not next week, not next month, and certainly not waiting possibly years for all or any of this to make its way through the legal system to the SCOTUS. Return ALL the children to their families, don't just throw them a bone by returning 12 or 15 at a time. As a nation, we have to rise against this gross miscarriage of justice, or as the theme song to the TV show "Cops" goes, "What cha gonna do when they come for YOU?" When government refuses to act within the scope of even any one law, we no longer have rule of law. The society as a whole is doomed to mass collapse. Seems to me that we were warned about this over 165 years ago . . . .
Still Angry in New Hampshire | 8:28 a.m. May 27, 2008
I sincerely hope that the U.S. Constitution remains in effect here, that these "boxes of evidence" that the article mentions, which were seized unlawfully due to an overly broad and baseless warrant in a non-criminal case, be barred from use in any criminal prosecution. Anything else opens would completely undermine the fourth amendment. I wish someone in Texas would read the Constitution...
jatow | 8:30 a.m. May 27, 2008
Why not add tax evasion, failure of the males to register for military service, harboring a fugitive
BobP | 8:40 a.m. May 27, 2008
I think it is time to take action against both ordinary and serial polygamy. Serial polygamy is a rising menace in which children become pawns.
Anonymous | 8:45 a.m. May 27, 2008
These young girls must think its an honor to be having Warren Jeffs children.Please get these children the help they need.I think the state of Texas needs to keep digging to put all those men away for a very long time.Not just in texas but in the other states also.Mr. President must get involved in this also.THE POOR CHILDREN HOW BRAINWASHED THEY ARE.
Scared | 8:48 a.m. May 27, 2008
Some FLDS have bombarded this blog with lies, half-truths and denials since the day this story broke.

It wouldn't be a bit surprising, therefore, to learn that some of these bloggers are the child abusers who have married these child brides and that their main concern all along was not in getting their children back, but in halting the investigation.

They're scared that the longer Texas keeps digging the more likely it will be that Texas will find evidence that will send these men to prison, just like their good friend, Warren Jeffs.
Listen | 8:51 a.m. May 27, 2008
Listen you who say " was there ever a good form of polgamy." God is the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac. And what were they? Polygamists! Cover your ears lest they fall off at such a scandalous thing. So if God is the God of old polygmists it stands to reason that God supported the practice at one point. However God gives and takes. He has taken the principle away for now, but you who question it, the practice of polgamy and its validitity in any time period, STOP and consider that Abraham a polgyamist is making it to Heaven.....or was the Bible wrong to call Abraham a "Friend of God"?
Re: Angry in NH | 8:58 a.m. May 27, 2008
Unfortunately, you'll probably get your wish. Some bleeding-heart judge will rule that the evidence is inadmissable because of an overly-broad search warrant.

The child rapists will celebrate and the little girls, who are destined to become their child brides, will continue to be groomed to be their sex slaves.

At least they aren't your daughters, so you can rest peacefully at night.
Bruce | 8:59 a.m. May 27, 2008
Follow the money.
There is a big demand for very young white children in the adoption racket. This is a potential cash cow for Texas CPS and they aren't about to let go easy.
Re: L.G. KIRKPATRICK | 9:04 a.m. May 27, 2008
YES!! YES!! YES!! Thank-you for being a sensible thinker on this blog. So many nin-com-poops write without thinking through to how this is going to affect THEIR RIGHTS!!! Thanks again.
Cannot Believe | 9:14 a.m. May 27, 2008
I cannot believe you folks who state that you do not want this evidence used against Jeffs! Whether you agree or disagree with CPS's decision to remove the children, that is what happened and they now have the evidence in hand and it was obtained with a search warrant. Why not use it? His being brought down would be the absolute best thing possible for all of these folks, especially the children. He's a tyrant, not a prophet. I'm sure those FLDS folks who were commanded to "repent from afar" and split from their families will agree, but they are just too scared to come out and say so!
whatever... | 9:16 a.m. May 27, 2008
FLDS pay property tax(including back taxes) and stop taking welfare in colorado city and hildale and sending it to texas.


i can't wait to hear from the FLDS defenders ....


anyone?


thats what i thought
Texas Roundup | 9:19 a.m. May 27, 2008
The guilty need to go to Jail --- It's illegal to molest children.

Its also illegal to "ROUND UP" a whole community of children --- release the children
J-man | 9:26 a.m. May 27, 2008
FLDS, so the whole world is wrong and your group is right, is that correct?

How can any FLDS person justify a 14 y/o girl marrying a 50+ y/o man in an arranged marriage??????





about time | 9:35 a.m. May 27, 2008
you mean to say they are actually going to try doing it legally, a little late don't you think.
As soon as they are done are they going to bring criminal cases against CPS and the Officers that broke the Law to do this raid as well?
Title misleading. | 9:45 a.m. May 27, 2008
The title of this article should have read "JEFFS Criminal Cases Building." Rounding it up as all FLDS cases building was misleading. So far CPS have failed prove child abuse at the YFZ--the proof they've said they had, later we find they were lying. It appears they're scraping at the bottom of the barrel in trying to justify what they've done. A picture of Jeffs smooching a kid 2 years ago? Oh ya, that's a *really* good reason to rip kids away from their families. Please.

I'm tired of this circus show. The children should go back home.
Desperation | 9:53 a.m. May 27, 2008
It's truly ironic, and laughable, that the FLDS child abusers want CPS prosecuted for trying to protect their children from abuse.

More and more they're showing their desperation. Deep down they can see that their PR campaign is failing and that they're headed to prison.

It's too bad these abusive old men aren't already in custody, because most of them will be in hiding by the time they're indicted.
SterlingSilver | 10:10 a.m. May 27, 2008
Hello America! You are witnessing the reality of your new government. You no longer have the Constitution of the United States of America. You are now governed by Homeland Security. All previously assumed rights are null and void. Please submit yourselves to your new Government!
here ya go | 10:13 a.m. May 27, 2008
here is the standard FLDS argument;

I'm not FLDS, I'm a lawyer/scientist and I don't live in Utah...and I'm against child rape and welfare fraud, Kicking young boys out of the community,BLAh blah blah

but, what the texas CPS did is reprehensible...to rip those poor kids away from their loving mothers!!!

Texas is going to pay big time for trampling on the Constitution
re: whatever | 10:16 a.m. May 27, 2008
Hey there! Just thought you might need to know that:

If Property Taxes are not paid, the property in question will eventually be sold for back taxes.

If a person qualifies for welfare in Hildale or Colorado City, they must submit to all the forms and regulations that any other person living in any other city in Utah or Arizona.

What's it to you what I do with my money? I really don't care what you do with yours.

Isn't it great to live in America?
Interloper | 10:17 a.m. May 27, 2008
Do the apologists for polygamy never stop? Many things were done in Biblical times that aren't done now because people know better, so spare us the tired old claim that God wants 50-year-old men having their way with girls young enough to be their granddaughters. The fact that polygamy is covered under the bigamy statute in Texas does not get the offenders off the hook. The statute does not have to use the word 'polygamy' to outlaw the behavior. Nor would any person fully in his or her right mine consider Warren Jeffs and those who came before him perfect and inerrant.

The only thing misleading occurring is efforts to cover up what goes on among the FLDS. And, yes, some gullible reporters fall into the trap of repeating FLDS propaganda. But, even as they do that, the wheels of justice are moving inexorably through pounds of evidence that will end the FLDS charade.
re: here ya go | 10:24 a.m. May 27, 2008
Here is my argument;

I am FLDS, I am not a lawyer/scientist and I do live in Utah...and I'm against child rape and walfare fraud, Kicking young boys out of the community!

Texas CPS is reprehensible...to rip those poor "Children" away from their loving mothers!!!

There is no Constution. "AND YER KIDS ARE NEXT"

Stop complaining about what we do. Please see that you need to secure your own rights under what you call you Constitution.
well | 10:38 a.m. May 27, 2008
Colorado City pays the LEAST taxes and receives the MOST welfare of ANY Utah city.


so much for your self sufficient lifestyle


bleed the beast
to "well..." | 10:55 a.m. May 27, 2008
Colorado City is not in Utah. You might want to get a few basic facts straight before you comment.
Mad Granny | 11:03 a.m. May 27, 2008
Maybe the way that this was handled was a little rough,but stop and think--if the children were left at the ranch how long do you think it would be before they all were moved somewhere else ??With numerous other places already established,it would not be hard to move them somewhere they would just blend in.I have no idea how this will all end,but after all it is about the welfare of these little innocent children.It would break my heart to if I thought any child was made to submit to these dirty old men.

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