Sheriff: Sect members will be charged

[JeanGrey]

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/04/20080604polyretreat04-on.html

FORT WORTH, Texas - Even as children continue to stream back home to the Yearning for Zion Ranch near El Dorado, Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran predicted Tuesday that numerous criminal charges will eventually be returned against followers of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).

"I believe when all of the criminal charges come forward it is going to be very hard to practice their beliefs within the state of Texas," Doran said. "I believe there are numerous criminal investigations going, and a number of charges will eventually come out of those investigations."

A grand jury was convened Monday in Schleicher County, but Doran said that panel is only dealing with local issues and is not taking up cases related to child abuse allegations at the sect's compound. He said the Texas Rangers, who are the lead agency in the investigation, are moving deliberately.

"I see warrants coming but the timing of that is up to the Texas Rangers and the district attorney," Doran said. "I'm not party to that. We didn't have the manpower to conduct this investigation, so we've been in a support role, trying to provide communications with the ranch and provide law enforcement protection to our county."




No link yet.

[uppityperson]

1. Thanks for the info. I will be watching, please cont to post articles on them

as I get busy sometimes and don't see them elsewhere. Appreciate the continuing info and interest.

[murielm99]

3. I second that. n/t

[JeanGrey]

16. I will, trust me. :-)

[ashling]

2. My cousin used to be county attorney in Schleicher County

Roy D. Killem

[Fridays Child]

4. So what's his view of the situation? Has he talked to you about it?

[ashling]

5. He died about 20 years ago

:shrug:

[JeanGrey]

6. Thank you I will. It isn't over by a long shot.

[DailyGrind51]

7. These "concerned" mothers make me sick!

Why aren't they concerned about their 14+ year-old sons, whom, I understand, are forced from the community to fend for themselves in the outside world so that 14+ year-old girls can be forced to marry much older men?

[atreides1]

8. It's Called CYA

They couldn't get the FLDS one way so they'll try another route!

The sheriff blew it on the child abuse reason, so now they have to save face by finding something, anything that will make them look good.

They screwed the pooch on this one and if Jessop follows through on his threat to get all of the adults in the compound to register to vote, Deputy Dawg just might be out of a job, so he has reason to hope that the Texas Rangers come up with something.

And to tell you the truth I don't buy for a moment that the people of El Dorado County were all that concerned, I really believe that they just wanted the freaks out of their little slice of heaven.

They should be investigating the cases that they can prove in court with real evidence, not hearsay, not what ifs, but real solid evidence. But I don't really think that matters to some people here because they like bringing out those broad brushes.

If I had to have a jury trial I'd take my chances with anybody except some here. Because I truly believe that those who are most vocal in their hatred would find me guilty before the trial even starts. The worst part is the most vocal ones would be the first ones to claim that they want justice and personal hate or animosity had nothing to do with their decision.

I think people here at DU need to stop every so often and look in the mirror and ask yourselves, do I really believe in justice or do I just want vengeance?

I do it about once a week, and I find that while vengeance feels good, justice is what's right!!

[JeanGrey]

10. Oh, they'll be found out and charged, bet on it.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5819810.html

From the above link:

Two weeks ago at their children's custody hearings, a number of mothers, including a wife of YFZ leader Merrill Jessop, testified that their spouses had disappeared, leaving no forwarding information.

A source close to the investigation said authorities believe many of the men who were at the ranch at the time of the raid have gone underground. "The vast majority have been moved," said the source, who could not be quoted by name because he is not authorized to speak publicly.

The truth WILL come out and those that broke the law will be held accountable.

[DailyGrind51]

12. I hope you are right!

These sick bastards need to be jailed and their wives and daughters need to be deprogrammed so that they can begin independent lives.

[JeanGrey]

15. No kidding. Ditto on every word.

[Festivito]

9. Oh my! A prediction. I quiver in anticipation.

Oh, wait, that's just the cat biting my ankle.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. One question I've had

is about child support. Does Texas go after the fathers and demand child support, or are the women receiving welfare like they do in UT and AZ? It would seem to me that everyone would agree that it is the father's responsibility, not the state's, to pay for the children they father. Could it be that it is child support issues that are being investigated?

[cap]

13. what happened to welfare to work?

I thought you only had a lifetime maximum of 5 years on welfare and you got lots of counseling on how to go get a job. African American mothers are riding hours on the buses to meet the work requirement.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Yeah, funny, isn't it?

As my husband said, hey they can't have those FLDS folks do that--they're white, after all. :sarcasm:

I really think that in a lot of cases, welfare laws are used to oppress minorities.

[High Plains]

19. The welfare canard.

Is there any evidence any of the people at the ranch were on welfare?

I don't think so, but I could be wrong...

But this is indicative of how many people are approaching this FLDS thing: Find something some FLDS people did somewhere and then assume all FLDS people are doing it. That hasn't turned out to be the case with the kiddie marriages, and I doubt it will be the case with this welfare stuff. Guilt by association may fly on a discussion board, but not where it matters.

[fasttense]

17. Last time I looked polygamy is still illegal.

They should prosecute them for that. I really believe polygamy is a threat to women everywhere; even if the ignorant and stupid women agree to being treated like property and to a polygamous marriage.

The whole polygamous concept is demeaning and abusive.

[leftynyc]

18. Legally it's not really polygamy

They are only being legally married once. The rest are considered "celestial" or "spiritual" marriages. They are not legal. Legally, all the children from those unions are illegitimate and as "single mothers", they are eligible for many welfare benefits.