Sheriff to add forces in Colo. City
 
By David Bell
Today's News-Herald - Havasu City
 
Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan said he's ready to station more deputies in the polygamous community of Colorado City. Sheahan was in the northern Mohave County enclave earlier this week, helping serve Grand Jury subpoenas to Town Marshall's officers.

"The Marshall's Office professes its allegiance to (FLDS leader Warren) Jeffs over their duty as peace officers. They profess it over their allegiance to the state and U.S. Constitutions," Sheahan said. "While these officers testify before the Grand Jury, we will be sending extra deputies to enforce the law."

Early attempts to serve the officers were met with nothing. When Sheahan and his Washington County (Utah) counterpart Sheriff Kirk Smith went to the Colorado City Hall and Town Marshall's office they found the building locked and no employees except for one dispatcher.

That dispatcher said all of the city's officials were out of the community. However Sheahan was able to make contact with the city manager but only by phone.

Four members of local police force were eventually served. Two others have been missing for a few weeks but Sheahan said he's confident they'll be tracked down.

The officers are being called on to testify on allegations Jeffs ordered underage girls to marry older men and that the Marshall's office took no action over the alleged crimes. The Marshall's Office serves both Colorado City and adjoining Hildale, Utah, under a joint powers agreement. A couple of Colorado City officers have already been decertified by the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board and the remaining force is facing a similar review.

"Should that occur, we will provide law enforcement to the community," said Sheahan.

The border cities are home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led by its "prophet" Jeffs. The church continues the polygamist practice of one man and multiple wives under the belief that it is a path to heaven. Only one marriage is sanctioned through the state, the others are "Celestial Marriages" conducted through and arranged by the church.

The allegations of statutory rape of underage girls, child abuse against boys who are reportedly kicked out of the communities and allegations of racketeering by the church and Jeffs himself resulted in numerous investigations by both Arizona and Utah. Jeffs escaped the community and went into hiding, and was recently placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted list.

"Eventually Jeffs will be caught. He has a large underground network and a lot of money, but we just need one good tip," said Sheahan.
 
havasunews.com
Originally published Saturday, May 13, 2006
 
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