Polygamist Leader Charged With Child Sex Abuse
 
ABC 4 News
Warren Jeffs

(ABC 4 News)-- The self-proclaimed prophet of the polygamous FLDS church is now a wanted man. Warren Jeffs has been indicted on two felony counts of child sex abuse.

The indictment was handed down by a federal grand jury in Mohave County, Arizona, which charges Jeffs with arranging a marriage between a 28-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl.

However, arresting the church leader may prove to be a formidable challenge because of his elusive nature. Jeffs used to live in the southern Utah town of Hilldale, but he left several months ago. Now, his compound is occupied only by caretakers.

Officials believe he may currently be living on a ranch in Eldorado, Texas.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff recently tried to serve him with a summons to appear in civil court, but came up empty. But this is now a criminal matter, meaning it will be more difficult for Jeffs to hide.

Authorities will have the authority to physically enter property during the search effort. And anyone who tries to stand in their way could be arrested. And this factor may spark a confrontation that some of Jeffs' followers have been predicting.

On Friday, Attorney General Shurtleff would not comment on any criminal investigations regarding Warren Jeffs, but he hopes the indictments in Arizona will give other abuse victims in the polygamous community the courage to come forward.

Besides Jeffs, Friday's indictment also charges the 28-year-old man who married the teenage girl.
 
4utah.com
Originally broadcast June 12, 2005
 
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