| Criminal charges filed against polygamist leader | ||
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By Mike Watkiss / 3TV reporter KTVK Channel 3 - Phoenix | ||
3TV has learned for the first time ever criminal charges have been filed against polygamist prophet and leader Warren Jeffs. The charges were filed in Mohave County and stem from allegations that Jeffs gave a 16-year-old girl as a plural wife to one of his male followers who is at least 10 years older than the girl. Mohave County Attorney Matthew J. Smith confirmed the indictment of Jeffs, saying, "Ultimately, we want to stop them from marrying off underage girls." The charges include one count of sexual conduct with a minor and the other is conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. Jeffs has become the center of increasing controversy in recent years and is already the target of a couple of high-profile civil lawsuits. One of the lawsuits was filed by a Jeffs’ nephew who claims as a child, he was sodomized by his uncle and other family members. Another civil lawsuit has been filed on behalf of polygamy's so-called Lost Boys, young men allegedly driven out of Colorado City by Jeffs and his followers to reduce competition for young brides. But today's criminal charges are the first such action taken against Jeffs as the states of Arizona and Utah continue a concerted and ongoing crackdown aimed at alleged polygamous crimes. When asked why he was taking this action after years of inaction on the part of other leaders in Arizona, Smith said, "I'm a prosecutor, not a politician. It's my responsibility to do something." Jeffs is now believed to be living in a new compound with selected followers near the little town of Eldorado, Texas. 3TV will have more on this story tonight on "Good Evening Arizona." | ||
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azfamily.com Originally broadcast June 10, 2005 | ||
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