Ex-FLDS spokesman convicted of contempt

A southern Utah judge has found William “Willie” R. Jessop, the former spokesman of the polygamous FLDS sect led by Warren Jeffs, guilty of a contempt of court charge for failing to show up to a hearing.

The Salt Lake Tribune says Fifth District Judge G. Rand Beacham

had previously issued a $15,000 warrant for Jessop’s arrest. Jessop had paid the fine prior to Wednesday’s hearing, however, and remains free.

In court, Jessop told Beacham he had been in Europe for speaking engagements and was not aware of a September court date. Jessop also missed a hearing in June. The contempt charge was specifically related to the June hearing.

Beacham set no date for sentencing, nor did he indicate what punishment might be imposed.

The missed hearings were to settle financial issues related to a 2008 legal dispute between Jessop and Cedar City private investigator Sam Brower, who has worked on several cases tied to the prosecution of Jeffs, who is head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Jessop sought a restraining order against Brower, claiming the investigator had trespassed on his property, once with a television news crew, and had frightened Jessop’s children and harassed employees of his excavating business.

Brower denied all of the allegations and in 2008 told The Associated Press Jessop was angry about Brower’s role in a San Angelo, Texas, child welfare case that involved one of Jeffs’ daughters.

The court eventually ruled Jessop did not have sufficient evidence to support a restraining order.

Brower sued for payment of legal expenses and won.

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