A Community Ruled By Fear
 
America's Most Wanted
Washington, DC
 
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.

Read the "America's Most Wanted" data sheet on Warren Steed Jeffs
 
AMW.com
Originally published May 4, 2006
 
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