Polygamy prophet joins most-wanted list
 
Robert Lusetich, Los Angeles correspondent
The Australian - Sydney, Australia
 
WHAT could the US's foremost polygamist have in common with the world's most feared terrorist?

On the surface, not much -- except that Warren Jeffs, whose beliefs about the place of women in society wouldn't have been out of order in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, has proved just as elusive to the US as al-Qa'ida leader Osama bin Laden.

The "prophet" of the bizarre Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- a breakaway group of hardline Mormons -- yesterday became the latest addition to the infamous FBI Most Wanted list, which also includes bin Laden as well as a Boston mobster wanted in connection with 18 murders, a Californian pedophile and Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez, the kingpin of Colombia's most powerful drug cartel.

The FBI is hoping elevating Jeffs to its high-profile list -- and increasing the bounty on the 50-year-old from $US50,000 ($64,780) to $US100,000 -- will provide a breakthrough in a case that, the agency admits, has gone so cold it has no idea where the one-time accountant is hiding.

A federal warrant was issued for Jeffs' arrest last year after he was indicted on two counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in Arizona.

"He is part of a group, leader of a group, that promulgates this theory, this activity, that sexual relations with children is OK," FBI spokesman John Miller said.

The FLDS, which has long been disowned by mainstream Mormons, split from the church when Utah -- in a deal to gain statehood in 1890 -- renounced polygamy.

The splinter group, which believed polygamy was crucial to the religious beliefs of Mormon founder Joseph Smith, relocated to the remote northern Arizona town of Colorado City and later settled in Hildale, just across the state border in Utah.

They have practised polygamy ever since, in the belief that each man needs at least three wives in order to be guaranteed a place in heaven.

Jeffs' father, Rulon, who led the group until his death four years ago at the age of 92, reportedly left behind 75 widows and 65 children.

Visitors to the towns say women walk around in ankle-length dresses and are discouraged from speaking.

Jeffs, whom followers believe is in communication with God, banned television, movie theatres and dancing.

The FLDS bestows supreme power to Jeffs, allowing him to control communal wealth as well as fix marriages -- often between young women and older men to whom they are sometimes related -- which led to the federal charges. Catching Jeffs has proven difficult because of his loyal followers. He also controls an estimated $US100 million in assets.

Last week, his younger brother Seth pleaded guilty to aiding a fugitive after being caught with $US142,000 in cash intended for his brother, along with letters.

It is widely believed Jeffs will not surrender to American authorities -- at least, not peacefully -- as he is protected by armed bodyguards from within his congregation who former insiders say will die for a man they consider their prophet.
 
theaustralian.news.com.au
Originally published May 9, 2006
 
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