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UTAH & ARIZONA OFFER $10,000 REWARD FOR WARREN JEFFS' ARREST
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard announced today a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of fugitive Warren Jeffs. The reward is being offered jointly by the states of Utah and Arizona.
Jeffs was indicted in June on one count of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. Both are class 6 felonies in Arizona, and if convicted, Jeffs could face anywhere from four months to two years in prison.
"This man is a fugitive and we need the public's help to bring him to justice," says Shurtleff. "The alleged victim is from Utah and we have committed to work with Arizona to protect the citizens of Hildale and Colorado City."
The Mohave County Sheriff's Office has agreed to take any calls in this case. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jeffs is asked to contact the Mohave County Sheriff's Office at 800-522-4312 or 928-753-2141.
The reward is the latest step in a series of recent efforts to address issues of concern in the two towns on the Utah/Arizona border. Other ongoing efforts include:
- Indictments of Eight Colorado City Men: The Mohave County Attorney secured indictments against eight other Colorado City men in the past month on charges of sexual conduct with a minor, conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor and sexual assault. The eight men have made their initial appearance in Mohave Superior Court, and all posted bond.
- United Effort Plan Trust: At the request of the Utah Attorney General's Office, a Utah judge suspended the control of UEP trustees, who included Warren Jeffs, and appointed a receiver who will inventory the trust assets. The trust has been valued at more than $150 million. Judge Denise Lindberg will hold a hearing to consider placing new trustees in charge to ensure the interests of the trust's beneficiaries are protected.
- School Receivership Law: Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard championed legislation enacted this year that allows the state school board to place school districts in receivership if they are being financially mismanaged. A petition to place the Colorado City School District in receivership is expected once the law takes effect next month.
- Colorado City School District Search Warrant: The Arizona Attorney General's Office served a criminal search warrant on the Colorado City Unified School District on May 24, taking custody of boxes of financial records, other documents and computer equipment. The office is preparing a petition to present to the State Board of Education to put the school district in receivership.
- Decertification of Hildale/Colorado City Police Officers: After an investigation by the Utah Attorney General's Office, the Utah Police Officer Standards and Training Board decertified Hildale Town Marshal Sam Roundy and Officer Vance Barlow in March 2005. The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board will hold a hearing in August to determine if the two officers will keep their peace officers' certification in Arizona.
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