• newsletters • best of austin • find a paper • mobile version • e-edition • submit an event • advertise with us • contact • jobs •

First Texas FLDS Member Sent to Jail 

 Wed Nov 11, 12:53pm , 2009


Prophet Jeffs and one of his many brides in a creepy photo introduced as evidence in court last year in an FLDS custody case
Raymond Jessop, the first of 12 members of the polygamous Mormon breakaway sect the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be tried in Texas on sexual assault and bigamy charges related to the practice of taking multiple wives – and often underage wives – has been given 10 years in prison by a jury in the West Texas town of Eldorado.

Jessop's conviction was based on a sexual assault charge related to his "spiritual marriage" to an underage FLDS member, allegedly a daughter of the group's imprisoned prophet Warren Jeffs; Jessop still faces trial on a charge of bigamy. Jessop's lawyers told reporters they would appeal the charge, challenging the search warrants that provided the government with documentary evidence they said proved the charges. Indeed, the warrants were obtained last spring based on a hoax phone call to officials where the caller claimed there was abuse happening at the sect's gated compound. As a result law enforcement raided the ranch and more than 400 children were removed from the property; the children were later returned to their families after two appeals courts ruled that the state had no cause to remove them.
 

FEATURED IN STATE
Photo by Lee Nichols
The 'T' Word
Richard Whittaker, Fri Feb 19
Politicians and media dance around what to call the plane crash
 
MORE IN NEWS
photo by Lee Nichols
The Joseph Stack Manifesto
Lee Nichols, Thu Feb 18
Reprint of pilot's suicide note
Share Digg Twitter Facebook Del.icio.us LinkedLn Email Print article


POST A COMMENT

(optional):
Don't have an account? Create an account
Forgot your username/password?

Note to Facebook Connect users: Facebook features are currently offline for maintenance. If you'd like to upgrade your Connect account to a free Austin Chronicle account in the interim, please contact the webmaster.
:

Permission to Print. Letter to the editor.
 

 

 


Austin Music Awards
Online Contests
Chrontourage
Chronicle Merch

 
Arts & Entertainment (131)
Services (150)
Civic (19)
Retail (71)
Food & Drink (66)
Coupons (15)
Jobs (10)

Ads of the Day


FEATURED POSTS
Outta Towners, It's Pronounced 'Totally Awesome AusChron Newscast!'
Jordan Smith, Wells Dunbar, Thu Mar 18
Austin tidbits and trivia, city tech, and the Art Acevedo showcase continues
Big Star’s Alex Chilton Dead
Austin Powell, Wed Mar 17
Power-pop pioneer died today in New Orleans
Mind on his Money
Austin Powell, Wed Mar 17
Chamillionaire defends his throne as the Mixtape Messiah.
SXSW Film Awards Announced
Kimberley Jones, Tue Mar 16
The envelope, please
The Digital Divide
Richard Whittaker, Tue Mar 16
SXSW discusses who isn't online, and why


MOST POPULAR
Et Tu, Arte?
Jordan Smith, Fri Mar 12
Chief says: thanks, but ... nah
SXQ&A: TMS Ruge
Richard Whittaker, Sat Mar 13
Project Diaspora co-founder and SXSW speaker talks African tech
SXSW for Civilians
Kimberley Jones, Mon Mar 8
A hot tip on how to get film tix for nonbadgeholders
Photo courtesy of Carlos San Miguel
Toros' Gee Now a Wizard
Mark Fagan, Mon Mar 8
Buffalo Billiards hosts Toros watch party on Tuesday
photo by Lee Nichols
Riding MetroRail
Katherine Gregor, Mon Mar 8
A smooth ride this morning