| FLDS compound poised for more construction | |
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By Steve Miller Rapid City Journal | |
The Pringle-area compound reportedly occupied by members of a polygamist sect appears to be preparing for expansion, according to Custer County Sheriff Rick Wheeler. Wheeler said he visited the compound a few days ago. "They're not doing much right now because of the ground being frozen," Wheeler said Monday. "But there's going to be some building again. I saw lots of topsoil piled up. They've got something going on." David Green, the Custer County planning director, said compound members told him late last summer that they planned to build another structure this year, but they didn't indicate what type of building. But Green said Tuesday compound members haven't applied for a building permit or a wastewater permit. He said the compound leaders have been good about filing all necessary paperwork for the construction they have completed. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a polygamist sect formerly headed by Warren Jeffs, who was a federal fugitive for nearly two years before being captured in August 2006. The FLDS is headquartered in the twin border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. It is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon church based in Salt Lake City, which renounced polygamy more than a century ago and excommunicates members who engage in the practice. The land for the local compound, in remote country about 12 miles southwest of Pringle, was bought in 2003 by David Allred. Former FLDS member Marvin Wyler of Colorado City says Allred was an adviser to Jeffs and bought the land for the FLDS. He also bought land for an FLDS compound in Texas, according to The Eldorado Success newspaper. The group has come under criticism in recent years from former members and from officials in both states. Jeffs was convicted of rape last year in Utah as an accomplice in the arranged marriage of a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. He was sentenced to two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison. Jeffs was transferred to Arizona on Tuesday to face charges of being an accomplice to incest and to sexual contact with a minor. Some private investigators, including the author Jon Krakauer, believe Jeffs hid at the Pringle compound -- among other FLDS holdings throughout the country -- while he was a fugitive. But law enforcement officials say they never confirmed that he had been at the Pringle-area compound. Wheeler said that compound, established about five years ago, continues to expand. The compound added 40 acres two years ago. Group members have been building one or two lodges a year on the fenced-off, gated compound, according to Custer County director of equalization Les Struble. The compound members completed work on three lodges last year, the largest of which is more than 11,000 square feet and contains 18 bedrooms, Struble said. The other two lodges are considerably smaller, he said. The 140-acre compound has five lodges, one single-family type residence, a garage, a large shop, a pole building, three sheds and a watchtower. Wheeler has estimated that the compound could hold between 75 to 100 people. Six children at the compound are registered with the Custer School District for home schooling, district officials said. Former FLDS members say compound members are likely practicing polygamy. But according to Wheeler, nobody has filed a formal complaint against compound members. He said the only complaints he has received about the compound are from neighbors who don't like the noise from the construction activity, some of which goes on late into the night. Struble said the compound pays its taxes on time and has met every county rule and requirement. The Journal has been unable to contact members of the compound by phone or at the site. Controversy has swirled around the FLDS, especially since Jeffs and other leaders were charged with crimes, and lawsuits were filed charging misuse of church funds. An attorney for a court-appointed Utah official assigned to oversee the FLDS financial arm, the United Effort Plan, said that money intended for the United Effort Plan might have been diverted to buy properties such as the Pringle compound. Pringle compound Five lodges
One pole structure — 960 square feet One shop building — 14,937 square feet One garage — 961 square feet One tower One single-family type residence — 1,704 square feet Land area — 140 acres Total assessed valuation: $4.58 million Total property tax bill for 2007: $37,943 Source: Custer County Equalization Office/Treasurer’s Office | |
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RapidCityJournal.com Originally published Tuesday, February 26, 2008 | |
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