Officers Launch Surprise Raid in Colorado City

John Hollenhorst Reporting KSL TV Channel 5

A convoy of law enforcers launched a surprise raid in Colorado City today on the Utah-Arizona border. They entered several homes, looking for evidence in criminal cases against followers of fugitive polygamist Warren Jeffs. Investigators are playing this very close to the vest. They released no details about the purposes of the raid. But a source tells us they're trying to find paternity evidence. In other words, which of Jeffs' followers fathered certain children? The presence of so many law enforcement vehicles in the polygamist town raised alarm bells for many residents. But the 18 cops were not there to make arrests. They're trying to get more evidence in ongoing criminal investigations. Eight followers of Warren Jeffs are scheduled for trial in Kingman, Arizona this summer. They're accused of having sex with teenage brides. In Colorado City, officers searched four houses, including that of David Bateman who was scheduled for trial next week. His case has now been postponed until August. Prosecutors evidently feel they need more evidence. A source told us certain children are important to the case. Some defendants deny fathering the kids and the raid was aimed at proving those relationships. We don't know if the searchers were after documents and photos or hair and saliva for DNA testing. The Mohave County Sheriff said by phone the searches were peaceful. Tom Sheahan, Mohave County Sheriff: "No arrests. No one was taken into custody. And, in fact, the search warrants went very smooth. Everybody that were at the homes, people were very cooperative. No incidents, no resistance." The Sheriff said some witnesses were also served with subpoenas, but he would not say if the raid had anything to do with the search for Warren Jeffs. He remains one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.

KSL.com Originally broadcast May 25, 2006

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