Jeffs court appearance Wednesday

The Spectrum

Warren Jeffs' booking mug at Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane.   Jud Burkett/The Spectrum Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, wanted in two states on charges of sexual abuse and arranging marriages between an underage girl and an older man, arrived early this afternoon by helicopter at Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane, Utah. HURRICANE — Warren Jeffs, the polygamist leader who faces charges of arranging marriages between an underage girl and an older man, will have his first court appearance in Washington County at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. It is expected that Jeff's appearance in 5th District Court will take place via closed circuit television from Purgatory Correctional Facility, where he is now housed. Media from across the nation was parked outside of the jail today awaiting Jeffs' arrival. Jeffs, who was arrested last week after being on the run for more than a year, arrived at the jail by helicopter shortly at 12:30 p.m. today. Authorities landed the helicopter behind the building and transported Jeffs into the facility. Rob Tersigni, public information officer for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, would not comment on the transportation of Jeffs from the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, where he has been held since his capture, to Southern Utah, referring all questions to a press conference set for 3:30 p.m. today "Believe me, I don’t want to get in trouble with the sheriff and spoil his thunder," Tersigni told the media throng at the jail. "We’ll let him come and explain it to all of you guys." Security was tight at the facility with nobody but law enforcement allowed in or out. It did not lessen the media clamor as reporters from across the nation descended on the jail to cover Jeffs' return. They were kept several hundred yards from the facility by sheriff's deputies. Jeffs has been accused of arranging marriages between older men and underage girls. He was on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list until he was arrested last week on Interstate 15 north of Las Vegas. Authorities found more than $50,000 in cash, computers, cell phones and wigs in the vehicle. Jeffs is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which includes the practice of polygamy among its doctrines. For more information on this story, see the Wednesday print edition of The Spectrum & Daily News.

TheSpectrum.com Originally published September 5, 2006

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