Officers Testify Before Arizona Grand Jury
 
By Jennifer Dobner
The Associated Press
KUTV Channel 2
 
Police services in Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, were shut down for at least one day this week when all five officers were called to appear before a state grand jury in Phoenix, the Mohave County, Ariz., sheriff said Thursday.

Sheriff Tom Sheahan said his office served subpoenas on Chief Fred Barlow and his four officers over the past two weeks.

Andrea Esquer, spokeswoman for Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, said she could not confirm or deny the existence of a grand jury, the proceedings of which would be secret.

The hearing was held Wednesday in Phoenix's Maricopa County Superior Court.

Chief Fred Barlow, who like his officers is certified in both Arizona and Utah, did not return multiple telephone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Colorado City resident Isaac Wyler said he telephoned police dispatch Wednesday seeking help from an officer and was told "no officers are in town today."

Mohave County deputies, however, stepped up patrols in Colorado City on Wednesday to cover for local police, Sheahan said. Washington County deputies did the same on the Utah side, said Lt. Jake Adams.

Wyler said police appeared to be back on duty Thursday, as patrol cars that were idle Wednesday were again circulating in the two communities.

It's unknown what officers might have been asked or what case Arizona state attorneys might be developing.

However, throughout the past year questions have been raised about whether police have placed their loyalties with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – of which all are believed to be members – ahead of their duty to uphold the law.

The church, which practices polygamy, and its fugitive leader, Warren Jeffs, have come under increased scrutiny by officials in both states.

Jeffs, 50, is wanted in both Arizona and Utah on felony charges alleging his involvement in arranging underage marriages between young girls and older men. He was recently placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Most church members, whose numbers are estimated at 10,000, remain loyal to Jeffs. In June 2005, a Utah court froze the assets of the church's United Effort Plan trust. But many of the faithful have refused to comply with related court orders, including refusing to pay taxes on the trust-held property.

Some Utah authorities say local police have supported that defiance by failing to intervene and uphold the court orders.

Rich Townsend, director of Utah's police academy POST - Peace Officers Standards and Training - said he has discussed the issue with Barlow and Hildale Mayor David Zitting.

"The conflict lies in when they are asked if they are going to uphold the (state) Constitution or are they going to follow the dictates of Warren Jeffs," said Townsend, who added that he was aware of the grand jury proceedings. "Rather than answer the question, they are choosing silence."

That silence was evident in depositions of Barlow and two other officers taken last month by attorneys representing the court-appointed accountant now in control of the UEP trust.

The officers dodged questions about the disappearance of a grain elevator, a modular building and other equipment from trust property in January. The trust holds most of the property in Colorado City and Hildale, including homes and businesses.

Barlow also failed to answer when asked if he is a Jeffs follower or if he would follow orders from church leaders before upholding the law.

On Thursday, a Mohave County Superior Court Judge in Bullhead City, Ariz., said the officers and two men connected with the Colorado City-based Four Square Mill must answer questions from trust attorneys, said Steve Garwood, the official court reporter

. Another round of depositions was ordered and will now be scheduled, trust attorney Jeff Shields said.

"We think they know who took the grain elevator and about 10 other items that have been pulled out of (Colorado City and Hildale) in the last few months," Shields said.

Missing for more than four months, within the last few weeks, the grain elevator system has since reappeared on mill property.

"That only raises more questions," Shields said.
 
KUTV.com
Originally published May 18, 2006
 
Back