Inside the mansion built for polygamist leader Warren Jeffs
Followers of the FLDS polygamist sect consider Warren Jeffs to be a prophet of God. To authorities in Texas, he is an inmate serving a life sentence for having sex with underage girls. But there are now serious questions about whether Jeffs is still leading the group from behind bars and whether his followers remain devoted. Gary Tuchman investigates and goes inside a mansion some followers built for Jeffs and his wives.
Victory for the "Sister Wives" stars’ legal case for polygamist marriages
A federal judge in Utah struck down part of the state's law banning polygamy. The family featured on the reality show "Sister Wives" filed the case, arguing that Utah's ban on cohabitation violated their rights to privacy and religious freedom. Utah was home to Warren Jeffs, who leads the FLDS, another polygamist sect. He was convicted of having sex with underage girls and is now serving a life sentence. Rebecca Musser was a witness in the case against Jeffs and talks to Anderson about what today's decision means.
Sheriff: Escape opens door for others
The Sheriff of Mohave County, Arizona vows to help members who want to leave Warren Jeffs' polygamist sect known as the FLDS. Sheriff Tom Sheahan says their department is "helping those that want to get out of that community."
The Sheriff tells Anderson the 'city police department' is nothing but an 'extension of a security service for the church.' He explains, "when people want to leave that church and get away from that type of living, they try to stop them, they hide them out, and they conspire with the elders in that church to keep this from happening." FULL POST
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Post by: Filed under: FLDS • Polygamy • Warren Jeffs |
Woman escapes with kids from FLDS
Ruby Jessop recently escaped from a breakaway Mormon sect known as the FLDS. The group openly practices polygamy, and are controlled and ruled by their imprisoned prophet, Warren Jeffs.
Jessop was forced to marry a cousin when she was fourteen years old. She was able to escape along with her six children. Gary Tuchman tells her story.
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Post by: Filed under: Anderson Cooper • FLDS • Polygamy • Warren Jeffs |
Tonight on AC360: Escape from the FLDS
We have been coming to the twin towns of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona for many years covering stories about the thousands of devoted followers of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who live, govern and police the towns. Also known as the FLDS, members of the breakaway Mormon sect openly practice polygamy.
Each time we come here, we are noticed the minute we drive into either town. These are not the kind of towns where outsiders would have a reason or need to stop. There aren't any shops, restaurants or businesses that cater to the outside world. So the minute an outsider does arrive, they are noticed and met with skepticism. Children ride horses and are dressed like everyone else, in traditional FLDS clothing. They are controlled and ruled by their imprisoned prophet, Warren Jeffs. You don’t see children playing with toys or riding bikes. They are usually found working on homes or in fields with their parents. FULL POST
Sources: FLDS preparing for end of world
Authorities are concerned polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs believes the world will end before 2013. The jailed FLDS prophet controls his followers from behind bars, and could be delivering a dangerous doomsday message. CNN's Gary Tuchman reports.
Read more about what law enforcement is monitoring in the FLDS communities.
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Post by: Filed under: FLDS • Warren Jeffs |
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