Law Enforcers May Make Agressive Attempt to Arrest Warren Jeffs
 
By John Hollenhorst
KSl TV Channel 5
 
The wherabouts of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs are still unknown, three days after his felony indictment for arranging a marriage with an underage bride.

Now, some of Jeffs' critics are starting to worry that authorities will put the case on the back-burner to avoid a confrontation.

John Hollenhorst joins us with details.

That worry is shared by many.

Even Jeff's harshest critics said today they hope law enforcment agencies can find a non-confrontational way to get him in custody.

Many believe Jeffs is, or was, at this huge compund in Texas.

A neighbor told the local newspaper he saw a convoy of vehicles leaving the property on Friday, right after the felony charges were announced.

A man who flew over the compound today told us ... it seemed unusually quiet. There was almost no construction activity and women and children had nearly disappeared from sight.

The Jeffs group does not have a known history of violence. But there are concerns that aggressive attempts to arrest Jeffs could lead to a standoff or showdown.

Long-time Jeffs critic, Buster Johnson, a county supervisor in Northern Arizona, told us that worry shouldn't deter authorities from enforcing the law.

VOICE OF BUSTER JOHNSON, MOHAVE COUNTY SUPERVISOR: "YOU KNOW WE LOOK LIKE FOOLS AROUND THE WORLD FOR NOT DOING SOMETHING THAT'S IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. AND IT'S A CHANCE FOR MAYBE US TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF INTEGRITY BACK IN THE WORLD."

Lawmen told us they can't simply barge into one of Jeffs compounds without concrete information that he's there.

But one sheriff said the felony charges have turned up the temperature and created unpredictable psychological effects.

"The dam has got to be breaking in that community," the sheriff said. "You never know when someone might turn on him."
 
tv.ksl.com
Originally broadcast June 13, 2005
 
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