Hilldale, USA - It is the worst kept secret around Hilldale and Colorado City. Just about everyone in the twin towns on the Utah - Arizona border know that their local cops -- five full-time and one reservist -- have been hauled before a grand jury in Phoenix. That also know that one did not come back from his appointment with the grand jury. Despite the secrecy that is supposed to protect grand jury proceedings, it is common knowledge that Officer Micah Barlow is cooling his heels in the Central Arizona Detention Center in Florence, Arizona for apparently running afoul of that grand jury.
Based on interviews with former polygamists who are now living both in and out of Colorado City and Hilldale, ABC 4 News has learned that for several years now the marshals have done the bidding of Polygamist Leader Warren Jeffs. They have enforced the eviction of followers from their homes. They have turned a blind eye to the harassment of dissidents within the community. They have sworn an oath to uphold the law, but their only real loyalty is to Jeffs.
Jeffs is on the run from law enforcement. He's wanted on charges from both Arizona and Utah that he forced underage girls to marry older men. Earlier this month the FBI placed Warren Jeffs on it's "Ten Most Wanted" list and offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Even so, if Jeffs is ever again spotted in Colorado City or Hilldale, few doubt what the local cops will do. They will protect him -- not arrest him.
"When it comes right down to it," said former FLDS member Ross Chatwin, "they're going to do what Warren tells them to do. They absolutely will defend him with their lives."
Could the marshals change? Perhaps, but not so far. Just a couple weeks ago, a Mohave County Sheriff's deputy had to step in to keep the marshals from enforcing the eviction of Patrick Pepkin from his home on Central in Colorado City. Pepkin had apparently done something to displease the Warrenites who ordered him out.
But Warren Jeffs and his followers no longer have any legal control of the land owned by the UEP trust -- just about all of Hilldale and Colorado City. A judge in Salt Lake removed Jeffs as UEP trustee and replaced him with a special fiduciary, Bruce Wisen. The marshals are well aware of this, and yet sided with the Warrenites.
Other law enforcement agencies complain that the town marshals will not cooperate with ongoing investigations. On Thursday, when the Mohave County attorney had 4 search warrants to execute and several subpoenas, he turned to the sheriff. Early in the morning, 15 deputies and detectives swept into town. The marshals were not involved. But at least two sheriff's vehicles were seen parked at the marshal's office. Far from helping, they may have actually been the subjects of a warrant or subpoena.
It is that kind of conduct that leads many to believe that it's time to fire the town marshals. They want the department abolished and law enforcement in the community handled by the Washington County, Utah and Mohave County, Arizona Sheriffs.
Carolyn Jessop used to be a "sister wife" to one of the most powerful men in the FLDS church. She left the town and polygamy, she says, when she could no longer stand the abuse. She got not help or sympathy from the local marshals. "The police in that community need to be removed. There's no woman in that community who is free to leave an abusive situation with the police [watching them]."
But surprisingly, some dissidents who still live in the polygamist community say the marshal department could be salvaged. Even though they have suffered at the hands of the heavy-handed marshals, they believe that they could stay -- as long as they obey the law instead of Jeffs.
Richard Holm, who moved back to Colorado City a week ago said, "I hesitate to think they should just be fired ... if they were accountable to a new mayor who was not FLDS."
Isaac Wyler said, "If they would uphold the law instead of Warren, I don't see any reason why they can't be here."
Both men point out that the marshals know the community and its people and could actually help keep things from reaching the boiling point. Still, the courts may end up making the decision of whether the marshals stay...or go to jail.
Crematorium Update
Warren Jeffs may have built his temple in Texas so he could practice the doctrine called "blood atonement".
As ABC 4 first reported on Wednesday, former members of Jeffs' polygamist sect say he's long preached that some sins can only be forgiven by the ritualized slaying of the sinner.
Jeffs also said it must be done in a temple. Former sect members believe a crematorium was included in the temple design to dispose of the body.
A law enforcement source tells ABC 4 he's aware of the stories about blood atonement, but as of yet, he has no proof that it is actually taking place.
Jeffs is hiding from the FBI. He's charged with performing forced marriages between underage girls and older men.