Brother helped Jeffs run
 He doesn't reveal leader's location despite plea bargain
 
By Ben Winslow
Deseret Morning News
Seth Jeffs

Seth Jeffs

DENVER — The brother of fugitive Fundamentalist LDS Church leader Warren Jeffs has pleaded guilty to charges that he helped keep his brother on the run from authorities.

But Seth Jeffs is still refusing to give up the polygamist prophet's whereabouts.

"The plea agreement doesn't provide for that," said Bill Taylor, assistant United States Attorney for the District of Colorado. "Our expectation is he will not."

Appearing in federal court here in Denver, Seth Jeffs pleaded guilty on Monday to a single charge of harboring and concealing a federal fugitive.

When he's sentenced July 14, federal prosecutors said he likely faces up to six months in prison. However, Jeffs' lawyer expects his client will get probation.

"The government stipulated to a guideline calculation," Daniel Smith said outside of court.

The younger brother of Warren Jeffs is tall, thin, pale and balding. Seth Jeffs was clad in a blue checkered shirt, a blue tie, dark pants and shoes for Monday's hearing.

Before the judge, Jeffs was exceedingly polite, answering questions with "Yes, your honor" or "No, sir."

"Did you do the things which are factually stated in the plea agreement?" U.S. District Court Judge Robert Blackburn asked Jeffs.

Pausing slightly and answering softly, Jeffs replied, "Yes, your honor."

As he entered his plea, Jeffs stood at his lawyer's side, clasped his hands and faced the judge. He appeared to stumble slightly while saying the words "guilty, your honor."

Jeffs, who has been free since posting a $25,000 bond in November, moved quickly in and out of the federal courthouse here, trying to avoid reporters and news cameras. Asked outside of the courtroom if he had any comment, Jeffs told a Deseret Morning News reporter, "No, sir." He slipped into a black SUV before disappearing into heavy Denver traffic.

Jeffs, 33, of Hildale, was indicted by a federal grand jury here in November, accused of helping to keep his brother on the run.

In October 2005, Jeffs was stopped by a police officer in Pueblo, Colo., and arrested on suspicion of prostitution and solicitation. A man traveling with Jeffs claimed he had been paid $5,000 for sex.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Colorado refused to say Monday if that man — Nathaniel Allred — is cooperating with federal authorities in the manhunt for Warren Jeffs.

"There's an ongoing investigation," Taylor said. "I don't want to comment on that."

Inside Seth Jeffs' car, police said they found items that would help keep Warren Jeffs on the run: $142,000 in cash, pre-paid credit cards, phone cards and even a glass jar filled with coins that had a label on it, reading "Pennies for the Prophet."

Police also seized documents and hundreds of envelopes addressed to "The Prophet" or "Warren Jeffs."

Seth Jeffs told police at the time of his arrest that he was a "messenger" for the FLDS Church, delivering the items to the polygamist group's compound in Eldorado, Texas. He refused to cooperate with federal agents, telling them "the prophets are often persecuted."

Warren Jeffs, 50, is facing charges in Utah and Arizona of arranging polygamous marriages between teenage girls and older men. Last week, federal prosecutors in Utah filed a criminal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Jeffs is on the FBI's Most Wanted List. A $60,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Jeffs' whereabouts are unknown, but Utah authorities tell the Deseret Morning News he is believed to have been in Texas within the past few months.

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
 
deseretnews.com
Originally published Tuesday, May 2, 2006
 
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