On June 12, 2006, I met with federal officials in Washington, D.C. on two issues important to Arizonans:  high gasoline prices and the hunt for Warren Jeffs, the fugitive leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS).

In April, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Majoras sent a letter to all 50 state Attorneys General, asking for assistance in investigating potential gas price-gouging or other criminal actions.

I was joined by seven other Attorneys General at the June 12 meeting with Attorney General Gonzales and Chairman Majoras to discuss high gas prices.  I was encouraged by what I heard.  The FTC continues to investigate gas pricing on the orders of President Bush, with a focus on refinery profits.  This is a constructive development.  The States were asked to contribute information and data to this investigation, and we are glad to help.

I also had the opportunity to talk about how much consumers are victimized by oil and gas companies’ distribution system, especially when there is a supply disruption, such as last fall’s hurricanes or a refinery fire or pipeline repair.  Our Arizona study showed that while consumers are paying record higher prices at the pump, oil and gas companies have been racking up record profits.  I informed the FTC and Justice Department officials about the conclusions reached in our gas report issued in April.

While I was in Washington for the gas meeting, I took the opportunity to meet with top officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  We discussed how we can work together more effectively in the search for Warren Jeffs.  They voiced a strong commitment to coordinate local, state and federal efforts, so everyone has the most up-to-date information.

Jeffs, who has been added to the FBI’s national “10 Most Wanted” list, continues to exercise his harmful influence over the Colorado City/Hildale community.  He became a fugitive to avoid answering the serious charges against him in a court of law. 

The law enforcement effort in Colorado City is multi-jurisdictional, involving the Arizona and Utah Attorneys General, the FBI and the County Attorneys and Sheriffs in Mohave County (Arizona) and Washington County (Utah).  Jeffs has been indicted on charges of sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in both Arizona and Utah.  He was subsequently charged by the feds with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Jeffs is described as 6’4”, 150 lbs., with brown eyes and hair.  Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office at 928-753-0753 or 1-800-526-1911.  For more information, please visit my Web site at www.azag.gov or the FBI Web site at www.fbi.gov. 

Terry Goddard