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Life at Texas compound ‘just isn’t right’

Posted: Monday, April 07, 2008 12:36 PM

By Don Teague, NBC News Correspondent

 SAN ANGELO, Texas – It may be some time before authorities here in West Texas fully untangle the web of secrecy surrounding the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints compound near Eldorado.  For journalists, specifics about the investigation are hard to come by, because a district judge has imposed a gag order on police who are searching the compound again today. 

What we do know is that authorities are concerned about possible sexual abuse of children, specifically teenage girls. They received a call from a 16-year-old girl last week, who told them she had been forced to marry a 50-year-old man at the age of 15, and gave birth to his child eight months ago.

VIDEO: Officials search polygamist ranch

On the strength of that complaint, police and Child Protective Services served the compound a search warrant, removed 220 women and children, and have taken legal custody of at least 18 children.

Residents of the small town of Eldorado, and nearby San Angelo, have expressed concern for years about the women and children living at the compound. Warren Jeff's, who built the compound, is currently serving time in an Arizona prison.  The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, headed by Jeffs after his father's death in 2002, broke away from the Mormon church after the latter disavowed polygamy more than a century ago.

A waitress I spoke with at a San Angelo restaurant voiced those concerns last night.

"It’s a shame what’s happening with those women and kids," she told me, "but I’m glad police are finally doing something about it. What’s happening out at that place just isn’t right."

Right or not, under Texas law, girls younger than 16 cannot marry, even with parental approval.

Whether illegal marriages of underage girls, or worse, was taking place at the compound is still an open question, one that the investigation in West Texas hopes to resolve.

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Comments

Let me get this straight. Because of an anonymous call from an unknown source, the police go into a religious sects community, round up all of the women and children, uproot them, transport them to an internment camp for interrogation,probably scare the kids to deah and traumatize them for life.  Sounds more like abuse of power to me. Religious persecution based on the premise that they are protecting the women and children. Sounds like something the Nazi's would have done. Break out the cattle cars. Where is the ACLU?  How many men, women and children would have died if it had become another Waco massacre by the ATF?
This is just plain wrong to endanger innocent people for a witch hunt.



Gary, Bullhead City AZ (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 1:34 PM)

Please get your facts straight.  Jeffs was never a member of the Mormon church.  The FLDS sect split from the LDS church 100 years ago.  Jeffs took over when his father died.

steve, beavercreek OH (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 1:49 PM)

There always has to be one extremist that can ruin the old saying "everything in moderation".  

Becky G., Nampa, ID (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 2:28 PM)

Finally, the authorities have made their move and they need to follow through and prosecute all those responsible.  It is truly unfortunate that many in this compund only know this kind of life and the people within the compound itself.  

This spinoff of the main LDS church has been in the crosshairs of local governments for many years but any previous efforts to take action on behalf of these women and children as well as young men, has fallen short.

It seems a bit odd that a single phone call from a teenage girl could result in such a large reaction from authorities.  Maybe they have been waiting for something like this to happen before they officially execute a plan they had ready to go.

Now that their so called leader and self proclaimed prophet has been jailed for a short time, now it's time to free all those he has abused and brainwashed for all these years.  The remaining leaders should join him in prison and pay for what they have done as well.

May god truly bless these lost souls and open their eyes.  They are all of children of god and they should be treated as such.  I truly hope and pray that those involved in helping these people will do all that they can.

DP, Murrieta, California (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 2:46 PM)

I have to wonder how Gary would feel if he had a Sister or Daughter under the age of 16 in that compound.  Being among members of a religeous sect does not exempt you from protections afforded by the Law.  These men are sick pedaphiles hiding behind the curtain of their religion and are a product of Brain Washing at it's worst.

LAH Joliet, Illinois (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:04 PM)

Maybe rounding up all the women and children and shipping them off to where-ever was extreme, but certainly the claim of this girl should have been investigated. If true it must have taken amazing courage for her to be able to make that call.

CT, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:10 PM)

It's appalling that the 'authorities', of any kind, have ignored what's happening to these young girls and women for so long.  I don't care what 'religion' it is, you don't 'marry off' multiple girls to the same man, no matter what his age.  This has been going on much longer than what's happening at the Texas compound...finally somebody did the right thing.
You cannot use the guise of 'religion' to excuse rape and incest.

MP, Detroit, MI (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:14 PM)

Gary from Bullhead City. You sound like you agree with polygamy. Removing those people from that environment was the best thing that could have happened. And it never came close to becoming a "Waco massacre".

David, Portland, ME (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:15 PM)

Gary, it is not one phone call from an unidentified source.  There is a long list of allegations on this sect.  They are known for being a haven for pedophiles.  (see Warren Jeffs)  I myself, take pride in the freedoms we have as Americans and think the government does go overboard a bit these days.  I do not think this is the case here.  It is hardly a witch hunt when children are being rapped.  I see your location, just wondering, were you an outcast from Colorado City?  

Scott, Denver, CO (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:28 PM)

I am very aware of the lives of those women and girls, Faithful women and obedient children who believe that they are doing what God wants of them, doctrine taught to them by the men of the church.  In todays world there is many young men for these young women to marry but they are married off to men who are like respected grandfathers and told that it is their duty to god to love those men and obey them blindly,  the young men are not believed to be strong willed enough to control a woman and keep her in their place, I often saw an older man with his older wife and a very young timid girl that seemed frightened to have eye contact with the general public.  the older woman was never far from her side, very soon you would see this child with a child of her own, the older man beaming the older woman by his side seeming to be marking her territory and the young girl no more than a child herself emotionless, not speaking, not smiling, just sad at what should be a great occasion.  today there is no reason for a man in his 50's to marry a 15 to 18yr old, and marry again and again when those women give birth to boys as well as girls.  no reason that those girls should not have their choice of males there own age. I get that the world is evil with tv shows not fit for most of us to view, ads pushing sex to sell product, condoms given out in school without parental consent but to control their lives, take away that which is god given , "our free agency to choose for ourselves", is plain and simply evil to the core regardless of your good intentions.  Free agengy is granted to all untill you commit a crime and then you give up that right as you did when you took away the rights of another to possess their own property,commit to them bodily harm or whatever you crime.   When you raise a child, teach them that ouside their homes is evil lurking that will devour them{monsters in the closet} and never let them out without a group to "protect them" then you are brainwashing them not protecting them.  that is all I have to say on the subject.

Annie Booth, pleasant grove utah. (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:34 PM)

The proper role of government in this case is to make sure that the religious sect does not prey upon the helpless.  The children, esp. the girls, in this "religion"  have been manipulated and dominated to the point that they have no understanding of free will or the opportunity to intelligently decide for themselves if this is the life that they wish to lead.
Waco was a tragedy, but it was caused by the same type of abuse and flaunting of the law that the male elders of this sect are displaying.

Brian Johnson, Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:37 PM)

Anyone involved in abusing children should be punished accordingly.  

doug (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:37 PM)

I really hope these poor women and children will be able to live a normal lives without fear of being brainwashed.

I had a sister-in-law who keeps poping out babies because of a twisted belief her religious husband instills in her.  

Kelly-Bowie, MD (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 3:55 PM)

This whole group sounds like a bunch of dirty old men, hiding behind the mask of religious belief for their own perverted gain. I feel for these young girls who are forced to marry and have sex with men three times their age. What happens to young boys in this sect? This is a cult and their tactics are brainwashing, and they should be treated as such. These "church" elders should be prosecuted for the pediphiles that they are.

Tari Buchholz (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 4:25 PM)

they dont even legally marry these other wives, they marry them "spiritually" and then get them on welfare so our taxes raise their kids!!

Kestrel Morningstar (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 4:44 PM)

It saddens me to hear allegations such as these in America.  This story of persecution makes me angry.  I have seen first hand women/children being treated like chattel - no voice and no rights.  If these allegations are true these men should receive the harshest punishment our judicial system can deliver for their crimes. Gary from Bullhead City you obviously live a very sheltered life.    

Greg, Clarksville, TN (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 4:56 PM)

Perhaps the DOM's (Dirty Ole Men) was using their BSR's (bull-S..*religion) as a front for their attacks on the young and submissive.  It is great that the young person had the strength to call and realize enought is enought.  What does it take to realize these individuals are hiding behind religion, living as if they are kings and destroy lives need to be stopped, and held accountable for their actions.  

Ray, fredericksbury, va (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 5:17 PM)

That compound isn't the only place that practices this way.  Drive through Pinesdale Montana for another "hideout" that practices polygamy. I thought polygamy is illegal in the U.S.A. Why are they still allowed to continue ?

Jane D. MT (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 5:30 PM)

A fine example of using the Lord name and religion to service man's own lusts and need for dominance.

Maria, Sanford, Florida (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 5:55 PM)

ok, Gary.  Let's make you into a teenage girl and stick you in the compound!  The authorities are not ones that have traumatized these kids, it's the people that they are forced to be around all their lives!  Crazy's like that do not deserve to be in this world.  In my eyes jail is not good enough.  I am glad they are finally cracking down on some of these places.  It is insane.

Marge Spring Tx (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 5:59 PM)

This guy comes from Colorado City, AZ, a town in exreeme northern AZ, with a twin town over the line that bisects the town from Utah.  They have been living this way since the early 1900s...when the renunciation of plural marriage by the mainstream LDS church caused many 'breakaways' all led by their own "Elder-Wise man" who dictated completely their way of life, including the girl's marriages between 14 and 16 years of age, NO older... I saw this while trading rugs on the Navajo reservation, when the men came in with their women trailing them, olders and young with babies...older women NOT with babies now that I recall it...
Yet, the authorities were spread so far between...and these folks were not Stoned/drumk/shooting, so they were overlooked while chasing the meth labs... and crack dealers and marijuana dealers.

Howard... Upland, CA (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:00 PM)

If I were the president and could do anything about the pedophiles hiding behind religion, I would arrest every man and throw him in prison for the rest of his sorry life.

lynn hayes (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:03 PM)

It is Sad what the government did to these people. I don't believe in their religion and if someone broke the law they should be punished, but to go in to a religious compound and detain everyone there because of their beliefs is wrong pure and simple. What happened to freedom of religion? Just because they are weird is not an excuse to persecute them.

The government will separate the kids, get psychiatrist to coerce them into saying whatever they want them to say, then they persecute them because they don’t fall into mainstream thinking. What a crock.

At least they didn't get Janet Reno and the ATF to come in and burn their village to the ground.

What is really sad is that many of you support it? When Uncle Sam starts breaking out the gold stars and firing up the gas chambers, are you going to support that as well?

John Doe, Chicago IL (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:04 PM)

Gary, you do know that many of these "plural families" support themselves by applying for WELFARE! Guess who pays that, NOT THEM! There are two towns in Arizona (I believe it is) that are supplied by government tax dollars (almost fully) and are full of welfare cheats! I'm glad you want to spend your tax dollar supporting this outdated and illegal cults 'church', but I DON'T!

Angela Long Beach, California (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:06 PM)

Oh Gary....

You should consider the fact that the law has been broken regardless of the relious origin. Hitler also used religion to disguise his crimes. I do not believe the lord in any capacity would trade the youth and innocence of our children for a 50yr old mans pleasure.

Who are the real Nazi's??

Shannon, Spokane wa (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:06 PM)

I always find it amazing that people get offended when the government moves against cults.  Just because people follow their "faith" doesn't mean they can do anything above the law.  Maybe these people should move out of the country.  Oh, I forgot!  Some people did that - remember the Peoples Temple - Jim Jones?  Isn't religion fun?

Erik (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:08 PM)

Gary,from Bullhead City, you are an idiot...Polygamy is against the law...Marrying children is against the law...abusing and beating children is against the law...Thank God the people of Texas are doing something about it finally....

Linda Hoban, Tigard, Oregon (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:08 PM)

incest and sex with children should NEVER be condoned.
Period!

John Doe, NY, NY (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:08 PM)

This sort of thing has been going on for years and the authorities in those towns protect this people I am glad and happy that some thing is finally being done for this poor girls.

Esmeralda Ramirez, Chicago Illinois (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:08 PM)

Annie Booth sounds like a lot of fun!

Erik (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:10 PM)

I've always believed that every individual has the right to follow their own path, but what these church elders do is just wrong. These poor girls and women have no chance to grow into the adults they could become and they certainly don't choose their own path. The men are sick and using the crutch of "religion" to grab power and control. It's beyond reprehensible

Sherry, Mesa AZ (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:11 PM)

It is sad that in this day and age human beings are being used and abused in this manner. I hope and pray that the authorities can and do something about this advantage that is taking place with these innocent people. I really hope so and that those affected will be able to return to normal lives.

Shirley Clarke, Ghaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:11 PM)

At least the Amish get a choice in whether they wish to remain in 'the church' and uphold 'family tradition' with rumspringer (where they get to spend a year or so
experiencing living their lives like we do). Most go back. The girls in these cults don't have any choice, because they are secluded away from the rest of the world in these 'hidden towns and compounds....

alf, lakewood, ca (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:14 PM)

Where there are helpless children who finally gain the courage to come forward police and our government have the responsibility to investigate.  If they have nothing to hide, why then did the "protective MEN" stopping authorities from entering into the temple?  My question for all you God believing people....is this....WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?  Let abuse and neglect that seems to be taking place continue to happen?  I don't hardly think so......

Christine, Moscow, Idaho (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:24 PM)

I agree, that something had to be done there, especially, if the allegation, proves to be true.
Still, it sends a cold chill, down my spine, to think all that activity, was spawned, by a telephone, allegation.
I'm remeinded, of the seat belt laws and the fact that a Mississippi, state senator, recently proposed a
law requiring, restaurants to refuse service to "obese" people.
Be very careful, of voicing approval, of the "big brother", laws. The next one, may bear on you

J Hughes (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:26 PM)

Annie Booth, I sign my name under yours.  Well done comment.
L. Kinney.

Leni Kinney (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:30 PM)

Gary,maybe you should walk a mile in there shoes,as the saying goes

BJK Las Vegas,Nevada (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:31 PM)

I am sure the girl who reported the incident weighed the risk of reporting to not reporting. Forcing a child to marry an adult is worse than death. It is absolutely disgusting, and that is abuse. I would rather die trying to escape than live as some old man's concubine. That shit is just sick.

Ameera, California (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:47 PM)

Anyone who can be proven guilty of these crimes should absolutely be imprisoned. But that's someone who can be PROVEN guilty.
Let's think about this for a minute. 500 people have been rounded up, and out of all those people, no anonymous caller? HMMMMMM. Sounds fishy to me. True, if there was an anonymous caller who was "brave" to make that call, wouldn't she have come forward by now? Told the police that she's the one who made the call? She's brave . . . right? This whole thing sounds absurd, and it is doubtful that what they are doing is constitutional.
But OH!! Compelling Public interest . . . riiiiiight! The public doesn't like Warren and his buddies because "that's just not right" so all of the sudden the people in Colorado City, the Texas Compound, and Hildale have no rights. All of the sudden we don't have to PROVE a thing, we can just storm in with our big combat boots because we're the big boys. Riiiight. I see how it works. The one with the gun is right. In this case, the one with the gun has tried to convince the rest of us that they are right, and I'll be darned if good ol' Uncle Sam is EVER wrong.
So now that I've gone on and ranted and raved, back to my point. Where is this elusive "brave" girl that made the call? ALL of these actions are based off of a call from a girl that they can't find. Hmmmmm . . . .

John Doe, Centennial Park, AZ (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:48 PM)

Gary, Hullhead AZ: if you had read towards the end of the article you would have seen that the call was made by a 16 year old girl who lived in the compound and was forced to marry a 50 year old man at the age of 15 then gave birth to his child eight months ago.

This compound is sick. These people seclude themselves from the rest of the world and in the end are forced to marry each other - even if they are siblings. It's disgusting.

Michelle, CA (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 6:53 PM)

I think if your naive enough to believe religon isnt some form of brainwashing then you are naive enough to allow one random phonecall the right to tear down a religion. Who cares if you dont think tis right, its someone elses belief, are we not a nation with freedom of religion regardless of belief?

Hmm (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:01 PM)

Annie Booth, Pleasant Grove UT: I can't agree with you more. Your comment was a fresh breath of truth and reality.

Michelle, CA (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:02 PM)

It is amazing in this day and age that situations are allowed to get as far as this one has. It's despicable that this group of religious "Elders" and men have twisted the minds of beliefs of the women around them in such a sick and twisted manner. I may not agree that transfering all those children into the care of the state is the right thing to do, but something drastic does need to happen. The men responisble should definetly be punished as the sexual predators they are.

Jessi, Idaho Falls, ID (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:02 PM)

It is very sad to see these old men taking advantage of little girls and beleiving it is a right thing to do.I hope when justice is served that the old men will be placed in the general population of some state prison so they to will understand the real feeling of being frightened.I wish the best to all that were taken advantage of.

Steve D.,St Paul,Mn. (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:06 PM)

Some of these women may have had decent husbands whom they liked and a good life.  I feel sorry for the disruption that has come to them.  Some women may have been separated from their children, some may have been separated from their half or fully grown sons whom they may love very much.  Some families may very legitimately be grieving for one another and be from situations where no abuse or anything evil has taken place. Will they let them return?  Have they the right of self-determinination? Will the community contine as a business, with all their sexually mature youth taken away?  Such a mess.

I don't think the local government had the resources to to do this whole-sale removal of possible victims correctly and have gone off the deep end - very possibly without reasonable proof in some cases. Are their families to be disrupted because we have laws against their bigamous arrangement? Or are we anti-religious sect? We would not want this to happen to the old-order Amish. Surely they have a right to create a community that suits them, though I understand the need to draw the line at rape and abuse.

Are we doing more harm than good? The government will be hard-pressed to restore lives to the families affected.  What does our society have to offer this sort of refugee?  The goal of social services is reuinification after all and how will they otherwise support themselves?  What a can of worms.

Jean (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:16 PM)

I BELIEVE, THAT THIS PEOPLE HAVE EMOTIONAL ABUSE....
THE ALL MEN TAKE ADVANTAGE TO CONTROL THEM, WITH THEIR FALSE DOCTRINE....IT IS TO BAD...THAT THE USING GOD, AS AN EXCUSE TO ABUSE THIS INNOCENT PEOPLE(WOMEN AND CHILDREN) THIS SITUATION IS TOTALLY WRONG...
THE GUILTY PEOPLE MOST PAY FOR WHAT  THEY HAVE DONE.
AND THE INNOCENT PEOPLE  NEED OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER.
THEY NEED TO BE TREATED WITH LOVE AND  RESPECT SPECIALLY  CHILDREN.

SONIA R SAN DIEGO,CA (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:33 PM)

Please, please, everyone remember that the Church of jesus Christ of Latter day- Saints (The Mormons) in no way approves of such behavior.

Erin V, Monterey, California (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:36 PM)

Gary, please read "Under the Banner of Heaven" by John Krakauer and "Leaving the Saints" by Martha Beck and you will understand how dangerous these extremist sects can be.

Sue, Colorado (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:36 PM)

In answer to Tari, the young boys are most likely in the places like the homeless group in SLC from southern Utah. They are often kicked out when they become teenagers. Gary, in response to you I question your concern about the "abuse of power" when you overlook that these women and children were forced to stay in this compound. Is that not "an abuse of power."

Jo Idaho Falls, IDaho (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:39 PM)

I hope this spurs an investigation in all of their compounds and the necessary steps are taken for those women and children as well.

Stephanie, Oklahoma (Sent Monday, April 07, 2008 7:40 PM)



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