Rumors about FLDS leader swirl Did he fly into Colorado City, perform marriages?

By Geoffrey Fattah Deseret Morning News

Warren Jeffs Warren Jeffs, the leader of the FLDS Church wanted by the FBI, flew into Colorado City under the nose of law enforcement and performed several marriages. At least that's the rumor swirling in and around the twin polygamous towns of Hildale and Colorado City, an attorney appointed to oversee the United Effort Plan trustee case told a 3rd District judge Wednesday. In an update to the efforts to set up an advisory board to handle UEP properties, court-appointed fiduciary Bruce Wisan said he was told that wanted FLDS leader Warren Jeffs had flown into Colorado City in a small private plane and was whisked away in a vehicle just a week ago. Shortly after, rumor circulated that three to four girls were taken from the community in cars, relayed to other vehicles, and taken to a remote field where Jeffs performed marriages. Wisan was told that the rumor had been reported to the FBI, however, special agent Brent Robbins with the FBI's Salt Lake City office said none of the agents involved in the search for Jeffs are aware of the rumor and could not confirm if the rumor was legitimate. Robbins said he was forwarding the information to agents in southern Utah. According to the Mohave County Special Investigator, that same rumor had been circulating for as long as six months. Jeffs, 49, has been on the FBI's most wanted list since June when he was indicted in Arizona on charges of sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct on a minor. In October, the FBI responded to reports that Jeffs was seen at the Cabela's sporting goods store in Lehi and later fishing at Strawberry Reservoir. Jeffs was reportedly using a wheelchair and was accompanied by body guards and several women. Efforts to locate Jeffs at that time failed. Last spring, a Utah judge removed Jeffs and five others as trustees of the UEP trust, which holds the FLDS Church's assets and property, including many homes in which FLDS members live. Judge Denise Lindberg has established an advisory board, comprised of citizens with ties to the FLDS community, to help manage the trust. Wisan reported Wednesday that the board's first meeting was held Tuesday and there were a variety of opinions by board members, which includes two women, as to how to proceed. A variety of issues, including property taxes and a much-needed property assessment, were discussed. Wisan said cooperation among the faithful is scarce adding he is having trouble finding an engineering firm that will take the job of assessing the properties block by block. So far two companies have stepped forward, willing to do the job at $12,000 to $24,000 a block. Wisan said those price bids are extremely unreasonable. One issue might be the potential for hired assessors becoming targets for violent followers. Wisan said some FLDS members have already branded him "evil." "Some say there is a potential for violence," Wisan told the court. "In my opinion that's possible." Wisan also questioned the cooperation of the community's law enforcement, who he said are slow to respond to his calls with problems but are quick to show up on things perceived to be an outside threat. Although the process is slow, Wisan said there are signs of progress. Advisory members have agreed on several issues and already he has arranged a rental agreement with two families living in one house. Both families, led by brothers who refuse to talk to each other, have agreed on a way to share utility payments and have agreed to start paying on the property taxes owed on the house. Lindberg said it was good to have two female board members to add a woman's point of view on an issue that for so long has been dominated by men. E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com

deseretnews.com Originally published Thursday, December 22, 2005

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