Authorities in Texas have today taken physical possession of the 1,700-acre Yearning For Zion Ranch that until recently belonged to the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).
Under Texas law, law enforcement can try to seize property that was used to commit or facilitate certain criminal conduct.
Today: Authorities probe deaths at Scientology-related Narconon facility; The great grandson of Scientology cult founder L. Ron Hubbard explains why he considers Hubbard to be a conman.
Also: Four in 10 Muslim congregations in Sweden are exposed to criminal attacks of various kinds; Cult expert Steve Hassan’s new book; and ‘evangelical’ Rich Mouw is still trying to whitewash the Mormon Church.
Plus more…
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.
In a ruling that could influence the cases of a dozen polygamous men, including their leader, Warren Jeffs, a Texas appeals court on Friday said 2008 searches of the sect’s headquarters were legally justified.
In his appeal, Michael Emack claimed the search warrant used to gather the evidence against him was illegally obtained because the raid on the FLDS’ Yearning For Zion ranch was based on a hoax call.
Allen Keate — a member of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sect — will be tried Dec. 7 on a charge of sexual abuse of a child, a second-degree felony that carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
An April 2008 raid of the sect’s Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado resulted in the removal of more than 400 children and criminal charges against 12 FLDS men.
Last week a jury convicted FLDS member Raymond Jessop, sentencing him to 10 years in prison.