Sect Leader Jeffs Convicted of Rape by Accomplice

9-26-07

By Lateshia Beachum, Communications Intern

Women trapped in polygamist societies can breathe a sigh of relief. Warrens Steed Jeffs, an FBI Most Wanted Fugitive, was found guilty on two counts of rape by accomplice on Tuesday, September 25 in a Utah Court.

What helped put Jeffs in jail was a former child bride and follower, Elisa Wall. Wall testified that she was coerced by Jeffers to marry her nineteen year old cousin against her will at the age of fourteen.

When complaining to Jeffers about unhappiness about the marriage, she said that Jeffers advised her to submit to her husband and that "the Lord wants you to go through with this." Wall also went on to say that she told her cousin that she was not ready for sex at the time. However, intercourse was forced on her within several weeks of her 2001 marriage.

Encouraging other girls to speak out against polygamist culture and child abuse was Wall's main goal in testifying for the prosecution. "I followed my heart," she said.

Her single testimony is also sending a message out to the men who marry these young girls. Following Jeffers conviction, Allen Steed, the cousin Waller married, was charged with rape on Wednesday, September 26.

Polygamist marriages are tough to investigate and prosecute because of the many consenting adults involved. Therefore, Utah authority has decided not to specifically go after polygamist societies following Jeffs' conviction. Utah Attorney General spokesman Paul Murphy said, ""We've basically put the polygamous communities on notice that if you are abusing children, hurting women or defrauding the government, we will go after you just like anybody else."

Like Wall, Murphy is hoping that Jeff's conviction will persuade young girls to speak up about abuse and forced marriages.

However, many wonder if Jeffs' conviction will have any effect at all over the polygamist society who sees Jeffs as a prophet from God, even behind bars. Jeffs still has the power to make decisions regarding excommunication and could possibly anoint a successor.

Yet the conviction of such a dominant religious figure can mean protection from forced marriages for a few more girls. Jeffs will be sentenced on November 20 on his two counts of rape by accomplice. He faces up to life in prison. Warren Jeff also has various counts of being an accomplice to incest and sex with minors in Arizona.