Polygamist Leader Makes FBI 10 Most Wanted List
 
PAULA ZAHN NOW
CNN
 
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening, everyone. Glad to have you with us. Here's what is happening at this moment.

ZAHN: In tonight's "Outside the Law," he's a man on the run from the law. But how does a 50-year-old religious leader get on the FBI's 10 most wanted list, along with Osama bin Laden?

Well, tonight, Warren Jeffs is a fugitive. But, to his followers, he's still a prophet. His story is tonight's "Outside the Law."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZAHN (voice-over): The list includes Osama bin Laden, murderers and violent robbers. Warren Jeffs is the newest member of the FBI's 10 most wanted list. He's the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FLDS, for short, a polygamist sect that broke away from the mainstream Mormon Church almost a century ago.

Fifty-year-old Warren Jeffs has been a fugitive for about a year. His group of about 10,000 people is based on the border of Arizona and Utah. Here, men believe that being married to a large number of brides will earn them a place in heaven.

As one of those former brides told Larry King, the women had no choice in the matter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LARRY KING LIVE")

CAROLYN JESSOP, LEFT ARIZONA POLYGAMIST COMMUNITY: I was given to a man who was 50 years old when I was 18. It was an arranged marriage. I was pulled out of bed at night by my father at 2:00 in the morning and told that I would be Merrill Jessop's fourth wife. It wasn't a situation where I was really given an option.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZAHN: Some boys and younger men claim they have been expelled to reduce competition for available women. Investigators say, FLDS members call Jeffs "The Prophet" and that they live in fear of him. A few years ago, the Arizona Attorney General's Office and the FBI began investigating reports of child abuse, domestic violence, and incest.

But officials say the investigation was hampered because Jeffs' followers refused to testify against him. In recent years, former members of the church have come out and told their stories. A Utah court charged Jeffs with sexual misconduct with a minor and for his role in arranging a marriage between an underage girl and an older man.

Similar charges were filed in Arizona. Even as a federal fugitive, authorities say Jeffs runs a $200 million empire. They have seen some of that money, but they think he may still be using the rest to stay one step ahead of the law.

TERRY GODDARD, ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL: This is somebody who is adept at staying undercover. He has obviously proven to be very good at it. And he seems to be moving around the country, maybe even into other countries.

ZAHN: Last week, Warren Jeffs' younger brother, Seth, pleaded guilty to concealing a fugitive, namely, his older brother. He faces up to six months in prison.

Law enforcement authorities believe that putting Warren Jeffs on the 10 most wanted list will mean he won't be concealed much longer.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZAHN: At least they're hoping that.

And joining me now, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. Thank you so much for joining us tonight, sir.

So, what kind of a threat does Mr. Jeffs represent that he would end up on this list, along with Osama bin Laden?

MARK SHURTLEFF, UTAH ATTORNEY GENERAL: Well, Paula, consider the fact that he has control of the lives of 10,000 men, women and children. And we are not just talking about their physical lives. But he actually holds their eternal lives, their salvation, in his hands.

Warren, for years, has caused extensive damage to young families, to women and children. He has forced countless young girls to marry older men. He has plundered assets. And, basically, frankly, he's -- he's extended his middle finger to the law, and felt that he could be above the law all these many years, and has shown that in running from the law as well.

ZAHN: But, in spite of what you just said, he has this protective net around him, formed by his followers. Are you any closer to getting to him tonight, in the wake of this announcement?

SHURTLEFF: Absolutely.

This is very key, because he is unique, really -- maybe Osama bin Laden -- the people on the list, to the fact that he's surrounded by loyal supporters, who are armed, people who protect him, who help move him from one safe house to another. He has unlimited assets, cash, credit cards, aliases. He has this ability to be moved and to be hidden. And that's why we need this information nationally.

ZAHN: How close do you think you are to nailing him?

SHURTLEFF: We haven't been close.

And that's why we really appreciate the fact that the FBI has stepped up big time on this. And of all the hundreds of desperadoes, of bad guys here in the country, to put Warren Jeffs on is a significant step forward. And I think it will be a substantial help in us finding him and bringing him to justice.

ZAHN: So, have you gotten any tips over the last 24 to 48 hours that you think are promising?

SHURTLEFF: Absolutely.

The FBI is receiving tips. Other -- programs like yours, hopefully, will help get the word out, get his picture out there. People need to understand, this -- this is a guy who unique physical characteristics, and he's very tall, 6'3'', 6'4'', and very thin, 160 pounds, very lanky, walks a little bit hunched over, we are told, and has a -- a unique voice.

So, it is something that people ought to be looking for. And we will hope that they will see and that they will -- they will notify us, so that we can bring him to justice for his crimes.

ZAHN: Well, we wish you luck.

SHURTLEFF: Thank you.

ZAHN: We know he has an -- access to an awful lot of cash. So, that makes the investigation even more complicated. Good luck.

SHURTLEFF: Thanks very much.

ZAHN: And please join Larry King at the top of the hour for more on this story -- among his guests, two of the women who fled the polygamist lifestyle.
 
CNN.com
Originally broadcast May 8, 2006
 
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