Washington County, Utah Attorney Brock Belnap told a 5th District Court judge Wednesday the prosecution is prepared to move forward with its case against Warren Jeffs — the polygamist cult leader currently awaiting trial in Texas.
Jeffs, 55, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was convicted of rape as an accomplice in 2007. The conviction was overturned last year by the Utah Supreme Court.
“We want to preserve our ability to prosecute Mr. Jeffs when and if he comes back from Texas,” said Brock Belnap, Washington County attorney.
Since the case has been overturned, Belnap said, prosecution has to start at the beginning to try Jeffs in court again.
Jeffs was extradited to Texas last year. He now awaits trial on charges of sexual assault and bigamy.
Belnap says the case in Texas will have no bearing on the case in Utah.
Federal prosecutors are reportedly also planning to prosecute Jeffs. The federal indictment stems from the FLDS leader’s stint as a fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list is also pending.