Goddard Commends Washington County Attorney in Jeffs Case

(Phoenix, Ariz. – April 7, 2006) Attorney General Terry Goddard today commended Washington County Attorney Brock Belnap for filing new charges against Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints in Colorado City, Ariz. The charges include two counts of first-degree felony rape as an accomplice.

"Mr. Belnap’s actions reinforce the point that law enforcement officials in Arizona and Utah are serious about prosecuting abuse cases and other crimes committed in the Colorado City/Hildale area,” Goddard said. “These charges are evidence that victims are slowly coming forward, and it is my hope this will encourage other victims from the area to come forward."

Jeffs remains a fugitive on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted List. A reward of $60,000 has been offered by the FBI and the Arizona and Utah Attorneys General for information leading to Jeffs’ arrest and conviction.

The search for Jeffs includes cooperative efforts by the Arizona and Utah Attorneys General Offices, the FBI and the Mohave County Attorney’s Office. An arrest warrant was issued by the Mohave County Attorney on June 9, 2005, charging Jeffs with sexual conduct with a minor and conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor. Jeffs was subsequently charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

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