A Community Ruled By Fear
Investigators say that Colorado City, Arizona is a community that has
been living in servitude and secrets. The Arizona Attorney General's
Office and the FBI began investigating reports of child abuse, domestic
violence, incest and polygamy that stem from a powerful congregation
called the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
(FLDS) and its leader, Warren Jeffs.
According to the FBI, Jeffs took control of Colorado City ten years ago
and over time started similar communities in Utah, Texas, and Mexico.
Mojave County Attorney General's Office investigators say that Jeffs'
teachings and sermons were designed to keep his flock loyal,
unquestioning, and living in fear of reprisals. For years, law
enforcement officials were unable to move against Jeffs since his
followers refused to testify against him.
Authorities say the main reason why Jeffs remained so powerful in
Colorado City was his implementation of one-man rule. This was a break
from traditional Mormon doctrine in that, rather than a committee of
appointed priests and bishops calling the shots, Jeffs was the absolute
authority in the community.
Investigators note that Warren Jeffs' single most powerful act was that
of overseeing and performing the marriages of his followers, basically
shaping the structure of each family in the community.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office found that many of these
marriages are "plural marriages" often involving underage girls to be
one of many wives to older male members of the FLDS community.
Investigators say that Jeffs' followers consider him a prophet and are
determined to do anything for him.
The FBI adds that this devout allegiance raises possible comparisons to
events like those in Jonestown or Waco, making Warren Jeffs a very
dangerous man.
Warren Jeffs is a difficult man to catch because of a wealthy network
of supporters.
Indicted "Prophet" In Hiding
Arizona Attorney General Terry Godard's investigation initially
discovered many instances of child abuse, polygamy, and corruption in
the FLDS-controlled local government. In June 2005, a Mohave County
grand jury indicted Jeffs on charges involving the marriage of a
16-year-old girl to a married man. Currently, there are ten to fifteen
similar cases pending.
Jeffs has been formally charged with Sexual Conduct with a Minor and
Conspiracy to Conduct Sexual Conduct with a Minor. The FBI maintains
that Jeffs has not been back to Colorado City in almost two years and
may be hiding out at other polygamist communities in British Columbia,
Texas, or Mexico.
According to the FBI, Warren Jeffs is a difficult man to catch because
not only will his loyal followers keep him protected and his location a
secret, but Jeffs also had control of a $200 million dollar trust,
built from profits and tithes from the communities he controls.
While the state of Utah has frozen Jeffs' assets, the FBI believes that
Jeffs had been funneling money out of the trust and using that money to
keep one step ahead of the law.
.
|
