Pringle, USA - A compound reportedly occupied by members of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs' sect continues to expand southwest of Pringle, South Dakota, even though Jeffs is behind bars in southern Utah.
The group has built several structures on the 100-acre property since October 2003.
In March, The Salt Lake Tribune reported that members of Jeffs' church had acquired remote land southwest of Pringle.
Jeffs is the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which practices polygamy. He was a fugitive for nearly two years, sought on charges in both Utah and Arizona accusing him of arranging marriages between underage girls and older men. Jeffs was placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list last spring. Jeffs was arrested Aug. 28 during a traffic stop near Las Vegas.
He is being held in Washington County, Utah, at the Purgatory Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing in his case has been scheduled later this month in 5th District Court in St. George, Utah.
Private investigators have said they believed the Pringle compound was among places Jeffs had hidden while he was on the run, but state and federal authorities said they could not confirm that.
United Land Management, a group with ties to the church, bought another 40 acres next to the compound: 15 acres in March for $37,500 and 25 acres on Oct. 13 for $275,000. The second piece of property includes a new 2,400-square-foot log home, documents at the Custer County courthouse show.
Les Struble, Custer County equalization director, said compound members also have begun work on another, larger lodge that will total more than 14,000 square feet. It is to have 18 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, according to documents.
Struble said one or two lodges a year have been built on the gated compound. The lodges are each about 3,000 square feet, with large kitchens and living rooms, plus separate bedrooms and bathrooms.
``What they use them for, I don't know,'' Struble said. ``That's just speculation on anybody's part.''
He has been on the compound to assess the property for tax purposes. Struble said he saw only the men who escorted him and others either working on the buildings or tending gardens. Struble said he saw no women or children on his visits.
Neighbors last spring said they saw as many as 60 people, including women and children, on the grounds.
The assessed value is about $1.5 million. After the new lodge is done, Struble said the total assessment likely will be between $2.5 million and $3 million.
The compound pays its taxes on time and has met every county rule and requirement, he said. ``It's amazing. I have not found anything that did not match their building plans to the inch. Everything they said they're going to do, they've done.''
Its tax bill next year will be about $30,000.
Polygamy is against South Dakota law, but no one has filed a complaint about the Pringle compound, said Rick Wheeler, Custer County sheriff. ``I've got to have some kind of complaint to go in there.''
The sheriff said he hopes to establish even minimal communication with compound leaders in case of a fire or other emergency. ``It's something I'm going to be working on,'' he said.