JEFFS CHARGED County joins filings

By Patrice St. Germain patrices@thespectrum.com

Warren Steed Jeffs     Charges Against Warren Jeffs WASHINGTON COUNTY - Two counts of rape as an accomplice, a first-degree felony. A $500,000 cash-only warrant has been issued for his arrest. MOHAVE COUNTY, ARIZ. - Two counts of sexual assault on a minor on or about March 28 or 30, 2002, and on or between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2002; and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct on a minor. A state arrest warrant was issued on June 9, 2005. FEDERAL CHARGES- One count of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. A warrant on this charge was issued on June 27, 2005. REWARD - The attorneys general of Utah and Arizona have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Jeffs' arrest. The FBI has also offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Jeffs' arrest and conviction. Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap announces Thursday that two first- degree felony rape as an accomplice charges have been filed against Warren Steed Jeffs. A $500,000 cash-only warrant has been issued for his arrest. File downloads: Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap speaks on charges against Warren Jeffs. ST. GEORGE — Charges continue to pile up against Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which is based in the polygamist communities of Hildale and Colorado City, Ariz. The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed two counts of rape as an accomplice against Jeffs on Thursday and a 5th District Court slapped a $500,000 cash-only warrant on the fugitive who has been on the run since he was charged with two counts of sexual assault on a minor last June by the Mohave County Attorney’s Office. After he disappeared, the federal government charged Jeffs with one count of unlawful flight. The charges led to the attorneys general of Utah and Arizona combining for a $10,000 reward for information leading to Jeffs’ arrest. The FBI has also offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Jeffs’ arrest and conviction. Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap held a press conference Thursday afternoon to announce the latest charges that came on the heels of an investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Belnap said the two first-degree felony charges stem from interviews conducted between January and March 2006 by Washington County Sheriff’s Detective Shauna Jones with a woman identified as Jane Doe IV. "Let me say a word about the nature of this case. It is not about religion, nor is it about polygamy," Belnap said. "This case is about a violation of the law by someone in a position of power and authority over a vulnerable young girl." The charges in the case allege that Jeffs encouraged, commanded or intentionally aided another to have sexual intercourse with a victim (Doe IV), a long-time Hildale resident between the ages of 14 and 18, without the victim’s consent. Court documents state that Jeffs was not physically present at the time the sexual intercourse took place. Belnap said the victim wishes to remain anonymous at this point and her identity and additional details will be revealed at the appropriate time and place during court proceedings. According to the affidavit, Jones said the sexual intercourse against Jane Doe’s will came after a spiritual marriage to a man identified as John Doe who was at least three years older than the victim. Jane Doe met with Jeffs several times, indicating that she did not want to stay in the spiritual marriage because she hated having "husband-wife" relations with John Doe. Jeffs told Jane that she must remain in the spiritual marriage, obey her husband and have children or she would lose her salvation. No charges have been filed against John Doe at this time. Fifth District Court Judge James E. Shumate issued the $500,000 cash-only warrant for Jeffs although the county attorney’s office asked for a no-bail warrant. Belnap said the bail schedule for those charges normally command a $20,000 cash or bond warrant. Colorado City resident Ross Chatwin said the bail is too low and that Jeffs could raise that amount of money in two hours. Still, he was pleased that charges were filed. Chatwin said he admires the courage of the victim and said by going to law enforcement officials, her life is in danger. "Warren would get her knocked off if he finds out who she is," Chatwin said. Chatwin also said Jeffs has such a hold on the many faithful followers he has that they would give their lives to protect him. "These people would die for Warren or kill for Warren," Chatwin said. Jeffs is known to travel with bodyguards and is considered armed and dangerous by the FBI. Sam Brower, a private investigator who has been involved with issues in the twin cities of Hildale and Colorado City, praised Belnap. "Washington County has stepped up to the plate joining in with Mohave County to prosecute these crimes," Brower said. But Brower said the real heroes are the victims who are now coming forward. "These are typically crimes of humiliation and guilt and compounded by their culture and religion," Brower said. "All these people coming forward are admirable and they deserve the anonymity for as long as possible."

TheSpectrum.com Originally published April 7, 2006

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