Warren Jeffs | Biography
Warren Jeffs, leader of the FLDS, gained infamy for his polygamous practices and legal issues surrounding underage marriages. His story is one of power, control, and controversy.
Who is Warren Jeffs?
Warren Jeffs is the controversial leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a polygamous sect that broke away from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Born into a prominent FLDS family, Jeffs ascended to power after the death of his father, Rulon Jeffs, in 2002. He quickly established himself as a controlling figure within the community, enforcing strict rules over followers' lives, including their clothing, marriages, and even their access to media. His leadership was marked by the practice of marrying underage girls, which ultimately led to his legal troubles and subsequent imprisonment.
Jeffs's reign was characterized by a series of legal challenges stemming from accusations of sexual misconduct and exploitation. He was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List in 2006 for arranging marriages between his followers and minors. Although an initial conviction for accessory to rape was overturned, a 2008 raid on the FLDS compound in Texas uncovered substantial evidence of abuse. In 2011, he was convicted on multiple counts related to sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison. Despite his incarceration, Jeffs continues to exert influence over the FLDS community from behind bars, demonstrating the deep-rooted control he has maintained over his followers.
In addition to his criminal activities, Jeffs has been the subject of numerous documentaries and media portrayals, highlighting the inner workings of the FLDS and the impact of his leadership on its members. Notable works include A&E's "Warren Jeffs: Prophet of Evil" and Lifetime's "Outlaw Prophet: Warren Jeffs." These documentaries aim to shed light on the complexities of life within the FLDS and the pervasive influence of Jeffs, who remains a polarizing figure in discussions about religious extremism and abuse.
Early Life and Rise in the FLDS Church
Warren Jeffs was born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a sect that practices polygamy, which his family has upheld for generations. His father, Rulon Jeffs, was a significant figure in the FLDS, having at least 50 wives and a vast number of children. Born prematurely, Warren was considered a "golden child," a perception that followed him throughout his upbringing. Growing up near Salt Lake City, Utah, he was raised in an environment steeped in strict religious doctrine and the traditions of polygamy, which was a central tenet of his family's beliefs.
Warren's rise within the FLDS began in earnest after his father's death in 2002, when he assumed the role of prophet. This position granted him immense power over the church's followers and property. Initially, he married several of his father's wives, solidifying his control over the community. Jeffs established the Yearning for Zion (YFZ) Ranch in Texas, where he enforced strict rules governing every aspect of his followers' lives, from their clothing to their relationships. His authoritarian leadership style and the excommunication of dissenters marked his tenure, further entrenching his position as a dominant and controversial figure within the FLDS.
Accusations by Becky and Roy Jeffs
In 2015, Warren Jeffs' children, Becky and Roy Jeffs, publicly accused their father of sexual abuse during their childhood. Their revelations came during an interview with CNN's Lisa Ling, where they shared the harrowing experiences that led them to break away from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). Becky described how her father's immense power allowed him to exploit and manipulate those around him, including his own children. She articulated the chilling realization that Jeffs believed he could act without consequence, stating, “What should I do with all this power? I can do anything I want. And he did — and it went the wrong way.”
Both Becky and Roy, along with two other siblings, distanced themselves from the FLDS community, seeking to reclaim their lives after years of living under their father’s oppressive rule. Their accusations not only shed light on the inner workings of the FLDS but also highlighted the broader issue of abuse within polygamous sects. The courage displayed by Becky and Roy in speaking out against their father and the church serves as a critical reminder of the need for accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals within such communities. Their testimonies contribute to a growing narrative that seeks to expose the dark realities faced by those under the control of leaders like Warren Jeffs.
FLDS Leader
Warren Jeffs is a controversial figure and the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a sect known for its practice of polygamy. Following the death of his father, Rulon Jeffs, in 2002, Warren assumed leadership and quickly established himself as a powerful and controlling figure within the community. He enforced strict rules governing the lives of his followers, dictating everything from their clothing to their marital choices. Under his leadership, the FLDS community became increasingly insular, with Jeffs excommunicating dissenters and isolating members from external influences such as television and the Internet.
Jeffs's reign was marred by numerous legal troubles stemming from accusations of sexual abuse and the arrangement of underage marriages. His legal issues began to mount in the mid-2000s, culminating in a high-profile FBI manhunt that placed him on the Ten Most Wanted list. After his capture in 2006, he faced multiple charges, including accessory to rape, which led to a conviction in 2011 for sexual assault involving underage girls. Despite his imprisonment, Jeffs continues to exert influence over the FLDS from behind bars, illustrating the complex dynamics of control and faith within the sect.
Legal Difficulties
Warren Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), faced significant legal troubles beginning in the mid-2000s. His legal issues escalated after a series of accusations regarding sexual conduct with minors. In 2005, Arizona authorities indicted him on charges of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. Following this, he was implicated in a case involving the arrangement of a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin, leading to additional charges of rape as an accomplice in Utah in 2006.
As the allegations mounted, Jeffs went into hiding, evading law enforcement until his capture in August 2006 near Las Vegas. He was subsequently placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. In 2007, he was convicted in Utah for being an accessory to rape, although this conviction was later overturned. The turning point came in 2008 when a raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Texas uncovered substantial evidence against him, including records of underage marriages. This evidence ultimately led to his 2011 trial, where he was found guilty of sexual assault for his illegal marriages to minors, resulting in a life sentence in prison.
Trials and Convictions
Warren Jeffs’ legal troubles began to mount in the early 2000s when accusations of sexual misconduct and polygamy surfaced against him. In 2005, Arizona authorities indicted him on charges of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. By 2006, he faced additional charges in Utah for his role in arranging a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. As the legal pressure intensified, Jeffs went into hiding, evading law enforcement until his capture in August 2006, when he was found with a significant amount of cash and various disguises.
In 2007, Jeffs was tried in Utah and convicted as an accessory to rape, but this conviction was later overturned. However, the 2008 raid on the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Texas provided law enforcement with critical evidence against him. The raid uncovered numerous instances of child abuse and underage marriages, leading to a 2011 trial where Jeffs faced charges for sexual assault involving minors. During the trial, shocking evidence emerged, including recordings and journal entries that detailed his illicit activities. Ultimately, Jeffs was found guilty on two counts of sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison, where he continues to exert control over the FLDS community despite his incarceration.
