Development in search for polygamist leader
 
By Kevin Curran
12 News - Phoenix
 
Federal and state officials have scheduled simultaneous news conferences in Phoenix and Salt Lake City regarding Warren Jeffs. Jeffs is the prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).

A terse statement issued by the FBI’s Phoenix division says the bureau’s acting special agent in charge will be joined by the U.S. Attorney for Arizona, Paul Charlton, and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard for a 6:00 p.m. news conference, "to announce a development reference fugitive Warren Steed Jeffs."

At the same time in Salt Lake City, the FBI will hold a news conference attended by that office’s special agent in charge, Utah’s acting US Attorney, a representative from the Utah attorney general’s office, and Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith.

Jeffs commands unquestioned devotion from his followers, who form the nation's largest polygamous community in the twin cities of Colorado City, Ariz. and Hildale, Utah. Hildale is in Washington County.

Jeffs was indicted on two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in a Mohave County court in June of last year. A federal warrant for his arrest was issued a few weeks later.

The FBI is offering a $50-thousand reward for information leading to his arrest.

FLDS members have also been living on a ranch in west Texas. There are also FLDS compounds in Mexico and British Columbia, Canada.
 
azcentral.com
Originally broadcast May 6, 2006
 
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