Building violations found during search of Colorado FLDS property
 
9 News KUSA TV - Denver
 
WESTCLIFFE - The Custer County Sheriff used a search warrant to enter the property tied to the Fundamental Latter Day Saints (FLDS) church, according to a county official.

Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe obtained the search warrant to go along with Custer County Zoning Director Jackie Hobby to investigate zoning complaints from people in the area.

"We went in after several complaints that there was a lot of construction and lumber going in and we knew they didn't have any permits," said Hobby in a phone interview with 9Wants to Know.

Hobby says she found a few violations with a septic system and some buildings without permits.

"You have to have a building permit for anything 99-square feet and larger," she said.

Hobby says she asked law enforcement to accompany her on the property because she was worried about her safety.

"I just thought it would be the right thing to do because of their reputation," said Hobby, "I had gone to another property and they were not very helpful."

Hobby says members of the FLDS sect who owned the property told her she could come by herself but could not bring law enforcement.

The search warrant allowed the sheriff and a second deputy to accompany Hobby into the property, according to Hobby.

Hobby said she believes law enforcement did not find any other illegal activity on the property. Custer County sheriff's deputies did not return calls for comment Monday.

The FLDS sect was the subject of a raid at the Yearn for Zion Ranch near Eldorado, Texas earlier this year. State authorities removed 416 children after the state claimed to have evidence that young women under the age of 16 were forced to marry older men.

A court later ordered all of the children to be returned to their parents.

Texas authorities say they were tipped off when a caller called a Texas crisis center claiming to be an abused member of the FLDS sect being held at the ranch near Eldorado.

Texas Rangers are now investigating whether that call came from Colorado Springs resident Rozita Swinton.

Swinton told 9NEWS Investigative Reporter Jace Larson that her attorney has advised her not to talk to reporters.

Swinton pleaded not guilty on July 9 to a charge of false reporting in an unrelated case from Colorado Springs.

Swinton is scheduled for a jury trial Oct. 20.
 
9News.com
Originally broadcast July 14, 2008
 
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