Kingman, USA - Search warrants were executed early Tuesday in the Arizona-Utah border communities that are home to the polygamous church sect that also owns and occupies the Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado. The latest law enforcement exercise, however, is not focused on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).
Several previous law enforcement investigations, searches and prosecutions in Texas, Utah and Arizona have targeted allegations of sex offenses involving underage females arising from FLDS beliefs and polygamous practice. But search warrants served simultaneously at 6:30 a.m. at six locations in Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, instead target alleged misappropriation.
“We’re looking for evidence of misuse of public funds as well as fraudulent schemes in the city government and the fire department,” said Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan. “We’re looking for financial records, paper records and also computer records.”
Mohave County Attorney Matt Smyth said officers were also looking for receipts and other evidence that might indicate misuse of municipal credit cards. Smith said computer forensics experts from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety were busy downloading files and information from sophisticated computers.
Sheahan said the warrants were served at four fire stations and the personal residences of Colorado City Manager David Darger and Colorado City Fire Chief Jake Barlow. He said there was no resistance during the morning raids but that officers forced their way into one of the homes as its occupants refused to open the door.
Sheahan said no arrests occurred during the evidence collection effort, but he said “there’s a good possibility” that someone will be charged and arrested in the future. Smith said Tuesday’s search warrant activity is part of what has been more than a yearlong investigation.
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard said the probe has nothing to do with any crackdown on polygamy or religious persecution.
“This is about the rule of law,” Goddard said. “This is about making sure that officials and folks in positions of power in Colorado City follow the law like they have to in every other community in the country.”