Beware of FLDS enforcers, Texas told

Deseret News ^ | June 11, 2008 | Leigh Dethman

[Flo Nightengale]

Texas police have been standing guard outside the home of the Texas judge who ordered the removal of all the FLDS children from the YFZ Ranch. The heightened security was ordered after authorities from Utah and Arizona warned them to be on the lookout for FLDS "enforcers," the Deseret News has learned.

Every officer guarding Judge Barbara Walther's San Angelo house was provided dossiers and photos of 16 FLDS men and women whom Utah police deemed a threat. However, e-mails obtained by the Deseret News from the Washington County Sheriff's Office warned Texas authorities to be suspicious of everybody, not just those on the list.

"There are many individuals who are willing to give up their life for the cause and you can never underestimate what a religious fanatic is capable of," according to the e-mails, which were obtained through Texas' public records law.

Police were also keeping close tabs on witnesses, as the "enforcers" might try to "intimidate kids and other witnesses, watch foster homes where kids may be placed, bribe witnesses, appear at court hearings, and make attempts to contact FLDS kids," according to an e-mail from an investigator with the Tom Green County District Attorney's Office.

Law enforcement in Texas has been on alert since a Fundamentalist LDS Church-related Web site published Walther's home address and work and home telephone numbers.

Walther signed the original order to remove all of the FLDS children from the YFZ Ranch in April and place them in state custody.

An attorney for the FLDS Church said its followers are peaceful people and that law enforcement has nothing to worry about.

"Have they ever seen an act of intimidation or violence against law enforcement from the FLDS community at all, ever?" Rod Parker told the Deseret News. "Before they start spreading those kinds of rumors, they ought to be able to ID an example of them ever doing that in the past."

As for the threat to "pay Ms. Walther's home a visit," on the site www.flds.ws, Parker said the site is not sanctioned by the FLDS Church. The site is run by Bill Medvecky, a Fort Myers, Fla., man who has donated to the fund for captive FLDS children, Parker said.

Once Parker told church leaders that the post could be construed as a threat, they contacted Medvecky and had him remove the judge's address, he said.

However, Walther's work and phone numbers are still listed on the Web site. The site calls Walther the "leader of the Gestapo," and includes a link to a petition to impeach the judge.

Medvecky doesn't see the harm in publishing Walther's address on the Internet. After all, it's in the phone book, he said.

"They are not confrontational whatsoever. I am," Medvecky told the Deseret News. "They are not me, and they have nothing to do with the site. We support them 100 percent."

Texas law enforcement wasn't aware of the threat until early June, but the dossiers "regarding any FLDS members who may engage in acts of intimidation or violence against law enforcement and/or potential witnesses" started circulating April 16.

The dossiers track individuals in FLDS leader Warren Jeffs' circle of trust, as well as a few "wild cards" that make Utah authorities "uncomfortable."

The list includes Willie Jessop, who has acted as one of the main spokesmen for the FLDS Church after the April 3 raid on the Yearning For Zion Ranch. The dossier calls him — William Roy Jessop — "the most serious threat associated with the FLDS religion."

Others included on the list are Lyle Steed Jeffs, Warren Jeffs' brother; and Lindsay Hammon Barlow, who witnesses described as Warren Jeffs' "muscle," among others.

"It is very obvious that Washington County officials do not let the facts get in the way of a good story," Willie Jessop said. "These are the types of paranoid allegations that can hurt a lot of innocent people if they are allowed to go unchecked.

"I don't know what the remedy is, but it should alarm everyone when an investigator does not even bother to fact check what he is supposed to be investigating."

The dossiers include the persons of interests' last known address and possible vehicles.

Washington County sheriff's deputies compiled the dossiers by tracking individuals during Warren Jeffs' 2007 trial, where he was convicted of rape as an accomplice after performing a marriage between a 14-year-old girl and her 19-year-old cousin. He was sentenced to a pair of five-to-life prison terms.

Police believe Jessop, also known as "Willie the Thug" or "King Willie" in the dossiers, is the primary FLDS "enforcer" and has a passion for violence, weapons (legal and illegal) and explosives.

On the third day of Warren Jeffs' trial, Jessop was banned from the courthouse after "it was determined he was attempting to intimidate the witnesses, after he was observed numerous (times) staring menacingly at the witnesses," according to the dossiers.

Jessop said he and other FLDS men and women who attended Jeffs' highly publicized trial were there as observers, nothing more.

"The fact that we would show up in court and then to have them turn that around on us shows how biased these public officials are," Jessop said. "There are no facts, no history of violence, not a shred of evidence to support these irresponsible allegations. Not one bit of it is true and these officials know it."

Other FLDS members showed up on the dossiers for a variety of things, from staring down and intimidating witnesses, being an active member of Warren Jeffs' security team, or holding a high rank in the FLDS Church's hierarchy.

Utah police also warned Texas officials of so-called "wild cards" or "religious fanatics," including Ruth Cooke, a woman police said is "blindly devoted to Warren and the FLDS religion," according to the dossiers.

"She is just the kind of person who may be capable of doing something crazy but justified in her head," the dossiers state.

Dee Yeates Jessop is another "intimidating enforcer" who police described as a fanatic who blindly follows Jeffs. Witnesses told police Dee Yeates Jessop is "relatively unimportant" in the church's command structure.

"His social status makes all the more dangerous. What would he do to improve his standing?" according to the dossiers.

Several other high-ranking church officials show up in the dossiers, like William E. Jessop, a high-ranking elder in the FLDS Church, and David Allred, who is involved in the church's finances and is "fairly high in the FLDS pecking order." However, the dossiers said the men were unlikely to be considered a threat, but could be involved in the decision-making process because of their positions of power.

Both Willie Jessop and Parker, who has also acted as a spokesman for the church, discounted the dossiers.

"If they are going to malign people's character like that, they ought to have something better than someone staring at somebody or looking at them funny," Parker said. "This is the same kind of rumor-mongering that I've been complaining about for a long time. These rumors tend to feed on themselves."

[commonguymd]

Didn’t you know that only Ex-Mormons are qualified to talk about those Mormon folks? Ex-Baptists can’t express dissatifaction with the Baptists because the devil has em by the toes, and Ex-Catholics can’t talk about the Catholic religion because they simply have an axe to grind, but Ex-Mormons are sacred cows. They are the only Ex allowed. /s

[brytlea]

LOL!

[CindyDawg]

Texas SAYS, “bring it on!”

[commonguymd]

Thanks for letting me know who you are.

[Nervous Tick]

I just that God, that you are not my judge. I will pray for you too.

Judge you? I wouldn't want the job. But, contrary to what you may believe, I respect you and I would probably go pretty easy on you. :-)

Please do pray for me. I am afflicted with the tendency to sin that all men have always been afflicted with, since the first one.

In particular, I have difficulties following the teachings in James 3 and 1 John 4, particularly verse 20.

Someday we will stand naked before the Almighty and give an account. If not for the intercession of Jesus Christ I, a sinner, would be without hope: lost indeed.

[Balding_Eagle]

Sheesh what thin skin you have, you call us child molesters and YOU get offended when some one points out that your actions are those of a fascist?

Go pound sand, along with all your fascists friends.

[Diamond]

...allow the mothers to leave and stay with their children. This is not the usual practice when children are removed from abusive homes.

It is not the usual practice to remove children from a household without making every reasonable effort to keep the child in the household, as required by the law. Furthermore, the CPS doesn't get to assume for any longer than fourteen days that a home is abusive. They have to PROVE it within that time limit FOR EACH CHILD TAKEN, period. There is no dispute about this. The CPS know the requirements of the law backwards and forwards. This is their INDUSTRY. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knew or should have known that once they started seizing HUNDREDS of Children from their parents it would be completely and utterly impossible to provide the required individual proof with respect to each child taken, which is exactly what happened, with the possible exception of one underage female out of 563 children seized.

The State in conjunction with a CYA, rubber stamp judge, abused over 450 children by separation trauma for two months with absolutely no justification, rational or legal, for doing so. They did so knowing full well the absolutely devastating impact that separation from parents can have on young children, and they did it anyway. If the people responsible for making these idiotic decisions were actually trying to follow the law instead of just exercising their hubris biceps, then they are completely incompetent and should be fired.

Not that that will actually happen. As things are, they will probably get a promotion. I'm told here by others that this is all just S.O.P. God help us.

FAMILY COURT - TEXAS STYLE

Cordially,

[JRochelle]

Spewing lies is not nice.

I have never called anyone here on FR a child molester.

I have said people who think the FLDS did no wrong are molester defenders.

It is not my problem if reading comprehension is difficult for you.

[epow]

The fact Texas law enforcement believes it necessary to protect her from the parents of the children she kidnapped speaks volumes.

It certainly does, about the FLDS fanatic cultists that is.

I don't have a problem with normal Mormons believing in and practicing those morally acceptable rites, ceremonies, or lifestyles that they believe are essential to the practice of their religion. But IMHO the unconscionable FLDS practice of adult men sexually violating helpless, brainwashed, pubescent girls is an especially heinous crime worthy of the death penalty, or at least life imprisonment.

Whether or not those men who have taken advantage of those girls' innocence and the gullibility of the mothers are not appropriately dealt with by the laws of man here and now, which doesn't appear likely at this point, I can promise you on the authority of God's infallible Word that they will be dealt with infinitely more harshly in their eternal lives unless they repent and call on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation before they check out of their present mortal lives. Thanks to God's transformation of my heart and mind I don't hate anyone anywhere, but in their case it's only possible not to hate because of His amazing grace.

[Balding_Eagle]

I have said people who think the FLDS did no wrong are molester defenders.

And then you warn someone to stop posting to you because you're offended. Rich.

[commonguymd]

I have noticed many religious zealots who can’t just preach fear and paranoia get offended when they are countered or questioned. Constitutional rights only count for those they approve of. I don’t mind people having strong religious values, but most of the time the spinsters just like to indoctrinate negatives. Like telling kids that they are going to burn in the lake of fire at three and four years old if they don’t do this or that.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Yes, Ruth is a a bit unbalanced.

[JRochelle]

Once again, lack of reading comprehension is evident.

I warned no one. What part of my post was a warning?

You must not have seen the comment, as it was deleted and way out of bounds.

[Nervous Tick]

>> I warned no one. What part of my post was a warning?

So, let me see if I have this straight.

YOU are free to read whatever motives you wish into a post. (for example, someone who questions the gestapo like tactics of CPS becomes a “molester defender” by your lights)

However, when YOU say “Don’t ever post to me again... I think that would be best” — which I certainly interpreted as a threat — it’s out of bounds to call it like I see it.

Do I have that about right?

I guess I didn’t realize this was your private sandbox, and you get to make all the rules.

[mouser]

Can’t call it fiction when it’s documented historical fact, dude!

After the 1953 raid I have never read about the flds killing anyone no judges no police no one.

After and during the trial of warren jeffs I have not read about the flds killing or threatening anyone no judge no lawyer no jury member no wittiness

So what history?

[UCANSEE2]

“The only thing lacking is a little thing called evidence.”

---

And what will you say when the evidence starts coming out?

(and yes I know that it is possible there is NO evidence. Not likely since I have read the appellate and TXSC transcripts, but anything is possible)

[UCANSEE2]

“Right now the members are very subversively registering to vote. “

It is interesting, when you look at it. Suddenly the Leader of the YFZ Ranch decided to go all ‘patriotic’, after realizing they might be prosecuted for alleged crimes.

[commonguymd]

So you are saying that they shouldn’t have the right to vote? Oh okay.

Come on now, just the other day you were doing some serious mental gymnastics trying to allude that someone in the compound contacted a known and convicted hoaxer, encouraging that hoaxer to make phone calls to a shelter so that the shelter could contact authorities and thus involve CPS. Don’t you get worn out sometimes with the utter fascinating brain flexibility?

[Alice in Wonderland]

Dossiers of select FLDS members sent to Texas officials

Top row, from left: William Roy Jessop; Ruth Cooke; Lindsay Hammon Barlow. Bottom row, from left: William E. Jessop; Lyle Steed Jeffs; David S. Allred.

William Roy Jessop
• AKA "Willie the Thug" or "King Willie"
• The most serious threat affiliated with the FLDS religion.
• Reportedly has a passion for violence, weapons (legal and illegal) and explosives.
• Accused of intimidating witnesses at Warren Jeffs' trial in 2007.
• "If anything remotely resembling violence or intimidation occurs, you can be fairly certain that William had a hand in it."
• Has acted as a spokesman for the FLDS Church after the raid on the YFZ Ranch.
• Lives in Hildale, Utah.

Ruth Cooke
• A "wild card" who is "blindly devoted to Warren and the FLDS religion.
" • "We reviewed countless letters she had sent to Warren that confirmed her unstable behavior, as she talked of disturbing visions she had received and breaking down the prison walls in the name of the prophet."
"She is just the kind of person who may be capable of doing something crazy, but justified in her head."

Lindsay Hammon Barlow
• Several witnesses describe him as Warren Jeffs' "muscle."
• Barlow was "clearly in charge of the group's security."
• During Warren Jeffs' trial, Barlow "attempted to seat individuals who could intimidate the witnesses in their direct line of sight."
• Lives in Hildale, Utah.

William E. Jessop
• "Respected as a bishop in the FLDS religion."
• "He is a very powerful man in the community, but I have never received any information that would indicate that he is involved in anything of a violent nature."
• "Could be involved in the decision-making processes due to his position of power."
• Lives in Hildale, Utah.

Lyle Steed Jeffs
• Brother to FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.
• Acted as wedding security during illegal marriages conducted in Nevada.
• "Minimal information to suggest that Lyle would be considered a threat to commit acts of violence or witness intimidation."

David S. Allred
• Involved in the financial areas of the FLDS Church.
• "Fairly high in the FLDS pecking order."
• "I do not have any specific information that would label David as a threat, nor do I have any that would discount him as a threat."

Nephi Steed Jeffs
• Brother and personal assistant to FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.
• "To the best of my knowledge, he is not involved in any FLDS security and has no known history of violence or intimidation."

Wendell Loy Nielson
• One of the presiding elders in the FLDS religion.
• "He is not likely at this time to be involved directly in any acts of violence or intimidation, but may still be involved in their development, planning and approval stages."

Rodney Hans Holm
• Convicted of unlawful sex with a minor in Utah in 2006
• "Known to have significant disdain for law enforcement."
• "Rodney also was under the close watch of our court security staff during the trial, as he appeared at times to be attempting to intimidate witnesses from his seat."

Rulon Daniel Barlow
• "Rulon seemed to be extremely focused on the routines of our court staff and repeatedly seemed to be staring down the prosecuting attorneys and their witnesses."

Dee Yeates Jessop
• "Appears to be another intimidating enforcer for the FLDS religion."
• Was more interested in intimidating witnesses with "menacing" stares during Warren Jeffs' trial than the trial itself.
• "He has been described as a fanatic, who is blindly devoted to Warren Jeffs."

Samuel Rapylee Bateman
• "Showed an unnatural interest in the security procedures and routines of our staff during the trial."

Donovan J. Stubbs
• "Seemed to be taking mental notes of the security staff present."
• "Donovan carried himself well and seemed to be respected by the other members of the FLDS group. When he spoke, others listened."

Guy Curtis Bauer
• "Seemed to "make it a point to be noticed by the prosecution's victim and witnesses whenever possible."
• "Seemed to be there for the purpose of intimidation.

Guy E. Nielson
• "Appeared to make several discreet attempts at intimidating the victim and members of Alissa Wall's family."

Nathan Mead Jessop
• "Multiple witnesses confirm Nathan Jessop is a member of the FLDS security team."
• One of three men who came to a woman's home and informed her she was no longer a worthy member of the community, a task generally reserved for Warren Jeffs' security staff.

source

[UCANSEE2]

"Sort of like the government officials wanting impunity for abuse of discretion by professing victimology."

Sort of like Warren Jeffs wanting immunity for abuse of discretion by professing Godhood.