Sheriff Doran,
I am responding to your request for information regarding any FLDS members who may engage in acts of intimidation or violence against law enforcement and/or potential witness in your upcoming cases involving the religious group.
The following information is based on facts, witness statements and personal observations accumulated during my criminal investigation of Warren Jeffs and the subsequent trial.
I understand that you have already received a similar document from Mohave County (AZ) Investigator Gary Engles. I understand that he provided the names of Lyle Jeffs, William E. Jessop, William R. Jessop, David S. Allred and Nephi Jeffs as possible threats. I would like to include several other people of interest and also provide additional information about the subjects listed above. I will also provide as many photographs as possible, given the short notice, as well the necessary information for you to obtain the remaining photos at a later date.
Lyle Jeffs is a brother to former FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs. He has also been referred to as #3, a reference to his rank in the FLDS hierarchy under Warren. I have come across minimal information to suggest that Lyle would be considered a threat to commit acts of violence or witness intimidation. However, there is some evidence to suggest he may. For instance, __________ stated during an interview that Lyle was one of three men sent by Warren to remove her from the community. This was a task usually reserved for members of Warren's security team. Lyle has also acted as wedding security during illegal marriages conducted in Nevada. Still, I believe that Lyle is more of an administrative member of the FLDS religion, and would not be involved in any immediate actions, although he certainly may be involved in the planning or approval of such actions.
William E. Jessop has long been respected as a bishop in the FLDS religion. During a jail visit with his brother Nephi Jeffs, Warren Jeffs indicated that William was the true prophet of the FLDS religion and had been since Rulon Jeffs died. 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. The only incident of aggression I am aware of happened in 1997. William was the suspect in a threat of violence, after he allegedly threatened an employee at R.V. Rental Express. No charges were ever filed. I don't perceive William to be an immediate threat, although it seems he would certainly be involved in the decision making processes due to his position of power.
I do not have much first hand knowledge of David [S. Allred].; However, it is my understanding that he is involved more in the financial areas of the FLDS religion than the security areas. I believe that he operates his businesses predominately out of Nevada and Texas and is 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 Jeffs is a brother to former FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs. He served as Warren's personal assistant. Nephi visited Warren on a daily basis and received the majority of his phone calls while he was incarcerated. He was responsible for transcribing, decoding and delivering all of Warren's messages. To the best of my knowledge, he is not involved in any FLDS security and has no known history of violence or intimidation. We believe his standing in the community may have been severely damaged, based on his knowledge of Warren's original and allegedly false claim to prophecy.
William R. Jessop, also known as "Willie the Thug" or "King Willie," is the most serious threat affiliated with the FLDS religion. He has long been known as the primary enforcer for the FLDS religion and his reputation in the community precedes him. William reportedly has a passion for violence, weapons (legal and illegal) and explosives. He has played a significant role in the development and execution of FLDS security. William attended the Warren Jeffs criminal trial, but was banned from the premises after the third day of trial. It was determined that he was attempting to intimidate the witnesses, after he was observed numerous staring menacingly at witnesses. The following day of trial, William and another man were reported to have arrived at the courthouse early, before security personnel, and parked their vehicles directly in front of the entrance to the Washington County Attorney's Office. This is the same entrance that the attorneys and the witnesses would be using. If anything remotely resembling violence or intimidation occurs, you can be fairly certain that William had a hand in it. He should be considered a definite threat. William may also use the alias William Timpson, but this has never been confirmed.
Wendell Nielson is one of the presiding elders in the FLDS religion. He is a high ranking and highly respected member of the community. Wendell has worked in conjunction with William R. Jessop on many facets of FLDS security. 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. Wendell has been linked by witnesses to suspicions of money laundering within the religion's upper structure. He also has been known to serve in a security position during illegal weddings being conducted in Nevada. Witnesses describe Wendall as a violent man, and even more so, a man who encouraged, promoted and accepted violence among the young boys and within his own household. Certainly, his presence at any court hearing should be cause for concern.
Lindsay Barlow has been described as "muscle" for Warren Jeffs by several witnesses. To paraphrase one witness, "When it is time for you to leave your house, Lindsay is likely the person to come and tell you." Lindsay visited Warren several times during his incarceration and was tasked to "train" the attorneys, which meant to make it clear how they could and could not defend Warren during his criminal trial. He attended every day of the trial and was clearly in charge of the group's security. Lindsay decided who from his group was allowed in to the courtroom and where they would sit. He generally attempted to seat individuals who could intimidate the witnesses in their direct line of sight. Lindsay seemed to be very aware of the law enforcement staff on location, specifically where they were stationed and role they played. His actions often attracted additional observation and caution by law enforcement staff. One prosecution witness stated that she was contacted by Lindsay before being contacted by the Washington County Attorney's Office. Lindsay advised her not to speak to the prosecution, and although there was articulated threat, the witness indicated that the threat was implied. He appears to hold a significant role in the FLDS security structure.
Rodney Holm is registered sex offender in the state of Utah and known to have significant disdain for law enforcement. He was convicted of unlawful sex with a minor, a second degree felony, in 2006. Rodney also attended nearly ever session of the Warren Jeffs trial. He appeared to be involved in the FLDS security loop. 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. He does not have an extensive history of documented violence, but is rumored to be capable. Rodney was the suspect in a case of threatened violence in 2006. He allegedly threatened violence to his ex-wife if she didn't stay out of he and Warren Jeffs' business. No charges were ever filed.
I don't have much information on Rulon Barlow, other than the fact that attended to Warren Jeffs trial. His demeanor toward the court security staff and the prosecution witnesses was noted as a cause for concern. He was part of what appeared to be numerous FLDS security meetings prior to court each day of court. 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. He was warned several times by court staff and nearly removed from the premises on one occasion. Rulon was also part of a group of five FLDS members that were suspiciously unaccounted for several hours during one of the trial days. The five subjects called an abrupt huddle, and then quickly exited the court building. A member of our court security, who was monitoring their exit, observed them entering a parking garage across the street from the courthouse, but lost visual contact of the group in the garage. They were never seen exiting the garage, but returned several hours later without any incident.
Dee Jessop is appears to be another intimidating enforcer for the FLDS religion. There is little information to support this, other than his actions at the Warren Jeffs trial. During the trial, Dee appeared to be less interested in the trial than he was in staring at the prosecution's victim and witnesses. He also was observed looking at the victim's husband and brother in what appeared to be a menacing stare during a break in the trial. Dee was warned on this occasion by the court security staff. There is record of Dee possessing at least one long rifle. He has been described as a fanatic, who is blindly devoted to Warren Jeffs and relatively unimportant in the command structure of the community. It seemed strange that someone of little importance in the community would be one of the very select few who were chosen to attend the trial. His social status makes all the more dangerous. What would he do to improve his standing?
Samuel Bateman was a regular at the Warren Jeffs trial and hearings. I was not aware of Samuel prior to the trial and have not been able to obtain information that would define his role in the community. However, he showed an unnatural interest in the security procedures and routines of our staff during the trial. Samuel was also part of the group of five members that were unaccounted for during a period of the trial.
We have no record in our system of any law enforcement contact with Donavan Stubbs. He attended the entire Warren Jeffs trial, and was another member of the group that grabbed the attention of court security staff. Donavan carried himself well and seemed to be respected by the other members of the FLDS group. When he spoke, others listened. He also was part of the group that disappeared for a period during the trial and seemed to be taking mental notes of the security staff present.
Guy Bauer has had minimal contact with local law enforcement and appears to reside in Colorado. Guy is a large individual, he stands approximately six feet tall and weighs approximately two hundred and seventy pounds, and seemed to make it a point to be noticed by the prosecution's victim and witnesses whenever possible. He was not blatant and never had to be addressed individually by the court staff, but seemed to be there for the purpose of intimidation. Guy only attended select days of the trial.
Guy Nielsen attended all of the Warren Jeffs trial and most of the hearings. There is no record of any contact with local law enforcement. Guy seemed to be very intent on observing our securing staff and appeared to make several discreet attempts at intimidating the victim and members of her family. Court security staff did not make any specific warnings to Guy, although he was the cause for at least one warning given to the group. He was also one of the members that were unaccounted for after they entered the parking garage.
Finally, you have to be aware of the wild card. There are many individuals who are willing to give their life for the cause and you can never under estimate what a religious fanatic is capable of. Here are just a couple examples of information gathered that made me uncomfortable. During Warren Jeffs' incarceration, his brother Nephi Jeffs visited him on a daily basis. We noticed after a while that approximately fifteen minutes before Nephi arrived, a vehicle would drive slowly through the parking lot, making several brief stops, and then exit. The drivers were always dressed in clothing associated with that community and appeared to be conducting security sweeps.