'The Prophet' makes most wanted list
 
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Tri-State News Network
 
COLORADO CITY, Ariz. - Warren Jeffs, the leader of the FLDS, a break away sect of mainstream Mormonism that practices polygamy, and has been wanted by the state of Arizona in connection with sex crimes against children, has just been added to the FBI's most wanted list for August and is said to be considered "armed and dangerous".

"If we're unsuccessful, then perhaps we decide to go public with attempting to locate and request the assistance of the public," said FBI special agent Deborah McCarley.

Jeffs, 49, is named as a defendant in a civil suit in Utah alleging sex offenses involving children and he's a controlling influence over a church-community trust that is tied up in civil litigation as well. But his indictment by a Mohave County Grand Jury would bring Jeffs to Kingman first if he's located and taken into custody, according to Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith.

"We're the only jurisdiction that has criminal charges against him right now, so we would be the only one's that would be extraditing him," Smith said.

Jeffs is charged with sex offenses for arranging and performing ceremonial church marriages between underage girls and already-married male adults. The FBI is reporting that Jeffs may have been seen in Florida, attempting to purchase additional land for the FLDS and it's estimated 10,000 followers, most of who live in Hildale and Colorado City.
 
Tri-State News Network
Originally published August 19, 2005
 
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