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FLDS

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This is Religion News Blog's archive of news items tagged FLDS.

Articles listed here may also be related to other tags and keywords. As such, other news items in other categories and tags may be relevant to FLDS as well. Use the Google-powered search engine above to find more items.

Warren Jeffs’ appeal is rejected by Texas state court

In August, 2011, a Texas jury convicted polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs of child sexual assault in a case stemming from two young followers he took as brides in what his church calls “spiritual marriages.”

Jeffs has appealed his conviction with ‘revelations’ in which Jesus Christ allegedly demands his release, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has turned down the appeal.

Conviction upheld in FLDS sexual assault case

In his appeal, Abram Harker Jeffs claimed that the state had insufficient evidence to prove that a sexual relationship had occurred between him and his wife, whom he married when she was 14 years old.

He was one of 12 men indicted after a 2008 law enforcement raid on the sect’s Texas-based ranch.

Religion News Briefing, Sunday May 6, 2012

Cult leader Bert Potter dies; a look at how Jim Jones manipulated politicians in San Francisco; and Kate Bornstein is no longer afraid to speak out about Scientology.

Also in this religion news briefing: the rise of paid, online worship in India; plus: 15 years after committing suicide the website of the Heaven’s Gate cult is still online.

Plus: why more Ugandans are turning to Witchcraft, and why a lawer thinks trafficking in brides might be OK.

New investigations into FLDS Church members, prosecutor says

A Utah Attorney has a series of criminal investigations under way into members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the polygamous sect led by jailed cult leader Warren Jeffs.

Authorities in Texas have begun sharing some of the billions of pages of evidence seized in an April, 2008 raid on the sect’s ranch.

Arizona House rejects bill to disband Colorado City police

State Attorney General Tom Horne had championed the bill, saying Colorado City officers who are members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints flout the law and are simply replaced by other followers of imprisoned FLDS leader Warren Jeffs if removed individually.

Warren Jeffs appeals conviction, threatens God’s wrath if he’s not freed

Cult leader Warren Jeffs has filed an appeal for his release. The appeal is in the form of three ‘revelations from Jesus Christ.’

The revelations threatens God’s “full whirlwind judgements” if he and other imprisoned leaders of the polygamous FLDS sect are not released.

Aerial photographs reveal additional buildings at FLDS Amphitheater

A new set of aerial photos shows a couple of new buildings at the amphitheater under construction at the FLDS’ Yearning for Zion Ranch in Texas.

There is speculation that the amphitheater will serve as a baptismal site.

Exiled FLDS father granted more time with estranged children

An exiled former member of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was granted increased visitation rights with his estranged children, including overnight custody, Friday during a 5th District Court hearing.

FLDS sect member’s conviction upheld

A Texas appeals court has upheld the conviction of a member of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who entered into a spiritual marriage with a 15-year-old girl in 2004 at the sect’s Yearning For Zion Ranch.

Raymond Merrill Jessop was sentenced to 10 years in prison and an $8,000 fine.

Jailed cult leader Warren Jeffs issues new ‘revelation’; gets phone privileges restored

Trying to keep up the appearance that he is a ‘prophet from God,’ Warren Jeffs has issued another ‘revelation’ regarding impending dissasters.

The cult leader also has had his prison phone privileges restored.

Texas spent $4.5M+ on FLDS prosecutions

In the four years since Texas authorities raided a ranch belonging to the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) state prosecutors have spent more than $4.5 million racking up swift convictions against him and 10 loyal followers on child sex and bigamy charges.

The total amount nears $20M if costs for the raid on the sect’s ranch are included.

Canadian police renews polygamy investigation into Bountiful

Last week a special prosecutor was given the go-ahead to consider polygamy crimes in Bountiful, the Canadian branch of the polygamous FLDS sect. Now Canadian police have renewed their investigation into allegations that dozens of teen brides were spirited across the U.S. border to marry older men.

Former FLDS president gets maximum sentence on bigamy counts

A jury in Midland, Texas, has sentenced Wendell Loy Nielsen, a former president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and erstwhile close associate of its imprisoned leader Warren Jeffs, to the maximum 10 years and $10,000 fine on each of three counts of felony bigamy.

Last November Nielsen revoked a plea deal in which he was sentenced to 10 years probation.

More evidence turns up during punishment phase for FLDS bigamist

Illegal marriage abetting, fugitive hiding, and breaking up families — the allegations rained down heavily in the courtroom against the former leader of a polygamist sect.

Last Wednesday Wendell Loy Nielsen was found guilty on three counts of felony bigamy.

Texas court dismisses Warren Jeffs’ appeal

A Texas judge denied the appeal of fundamentalist sect leader Warren Jeffs on Thursday, the same day a jury considered testimony to determine how to sentence a key figure in his church after his own bigamy conviction.

Instead of the necessary paperwork Jeffs filed ‘prophecies’ with the court.

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