Two Fundamentalist Mormon Towns Are On Trial And The Evidence Is Adding Up
The Justice Department says they denied access to water and police protection to nonchurch members.
Jamie Ross— Courthouse News
PHOENIX (CN) - Linked fundamentalist Mormon towns in Utah and Arizona refused to provide water hookups to residents who didn't belong to the church, but connected water for church projects without waiting for an application, a former utility board member testified Thursday.
The Department of Justice sued Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, in 2012, claiming the towns denied nonchurch members access to water, utilities and police protection.
Advertisement
Both towns are dominated by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose leader Warren Jeffs is serving life plus 20 years for sexually assaulting two girls when they were 12 and 15. He called them his "spiritual wives."
The towns' federal trial is expected to last for five weeks.
Guy Timpson, a church member and member of the Colorado City Utility Board from 2007 through 2013, told the jury that the towns quit issuing new water connections in 2007, though the information was not put into writing until 2010.
In 2010, the cities promulgated new water ordinances dictating that "no new service location will be connected to the culinary water system" unless the applicant can supply water to the system that meets environmental qualifications.
Despite this ordinance, a church entity - the Twin City Improvement Association - was given a number of water connections for building projects before it even filed an application. The projects included an apartment complex, housing for Warren Jeffs and a storehouse for members of the FLDS to contribute goods for the use of other members.
Advertisement
"They had already received water connections," Timpson told the jury, and he worked on them in his capacity as a church member.
Meanwhile, the utilities board denied water applications from nonmembers Richard Holm and Ron and Jinjer Cooke.
Jessica Clarke, a Justice Department attorney, asked Timpson what the church's involvement was in water decisions.
"There weren't any [board members] that weren't part of the FLDS," Timpson replied. "From the church's perspective, we had gotten a sermon from Warren Jeffs saying there would be no new building."
The Cookes were awarded $5.2 million in 2014 after they sued town officials for discriminating against them "in the provision of services or facilities because of religion."
Advertisement
Also Thursday, Thomas Jeffs, a son of Bishop Lyle Jeffs and nephew of Warren Jeffs, testified about the symbiotic relationship between the church and the Colorado City Marshal's Office.
The Justice Department accuses the Marshal's Office of failing to investigate crimes against non-FLDS members and refusing to arrest FLDS members who commit crimes against nonmembers.
Thomas Jeffs, who was as a bodyguard for his father, said the police chief gave him night-vision binoculars to use for church security.
"He said, 'These were found outside my jurisdiction, outside my control. I could lose my badge and job for this, so don't get caught," Thomas Jeffs told the jury.
He said the towns' law enforcement treated him well because his father was the bishop: for instance, the police chief took care of a warrant for him when he forgot to pay a speeding ticket.
Advertisement
Thomas Jeffs grew up in the Salt Lake Valley until he moved to the community in 2001 after his grandfather, then-FLDS leader Rulon Jeffs ordered Thomas' father Lyle to move there. Thomas Jeffs left the church in October 2013.
"I feel like now I'm on the outside," Thomas Jeffs testified. "I feel like justice needs to be served."
Inside a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.