Search Warrant For FLDS Compound Based On Hoax Tip Does Not Invalidate Conviction

A Texas state appeals court has refused to suppress evidence or quash an indictment of Lehi Barlow Jeffs, a member of the FLDS Church, who was charged with, and pleaded "no contest" to, sexually assaulting a child. In Jeffs v. State of Texas, (TX App., Feb. 24, 2012), the court rejected Jeffs complaint that the 2008 search warrant that allowed police to go onto the FLDS Yearning for Zion Ranch was based on a hoax telephone call. The woman caller claimed she was 16-years old, pregnant, abused and wanted to leave the ranch but was afraid to do so. Authorities thought the call was genuine. Among the claims rejected by the court was the contention that the widely publicized search of YFZ Ranch violated Jeffs religious freedom as protected by the Free Exercise clause and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. (See prior related posting.)