Today's Salt Lake Tribune carries a gripping account of grand jury testimony by a woman forced into plural marriage by her father. The marriage ceremony was performed by Warren Steed Jeffs, president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The marriage took place in Arizona that has a constitutional prohibition against polygamy; but the state has no criminal statute implementing the prohibition. So authorities are relegated to relying on state laws that prohibit sexual activities with minors. FLDS, with adherents in bordering Utah and Arizona towns, has been the focus of a wide array of lawsuits and enforcement activities. Jeffs is wanted by Arizona authorities on charges related to the marriage described to the grand jury.
UPDATE: On April 6, new charges were filed against FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. He is charged with being an accomplice to felony-rape by arranging the marriage of a minor. (Deseret Morning News, Apr. 7).
