Jeffs received a further 20 year sentence for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. While they have suffered under his dictatorship for years, It remains to be seen how women in Jeffs's community will react to his conviction and sentencing. [6] In 2007, Arizona charged him with eight additional counts in two separate cases, including incest and sexual conduct with minors. As an intensely secretive sect, there is scant information about what has happened to all of Warren Jeffs wives. November 25, 2021. A fallen man: Warren Jeffs looks shaven and dishevelled in his booking photograph. Smith said that the Arizona victims no longer wanted to testify and that Jeffs had spent almost two years in jail awaiting trialmore than he would have received had he been convicted. Naomi Jeffs was between 25 to 30 years old at the time she passed away. The disdain, then again, returned immediately. Jeffs was convicted in Utah of rape as an accessory, although the conviction would later be overturned by an appellate court. She was a wife to both Rulon and Warren and was with Warren when he was on the run throughout the United States. All FLDS women were forced to wear conservative prairie dresses, and were assigned to men at Jeffs leisure. Jeffs took over as principal in 1976, when he was 21 years old. 'All of his rules were to be obeyed. Jeffs sent her away to lone living, a punishment that forced members to live on their own with no contact with anyone else, for two years. Church of Jesus Christ (Original Doctrine) Inc. 'Warren Jeffs made himself into something that harms each and every person he touches,' he added. Under his rule, Jeffs kicked out many of the high-ranking men in the FLDS community, telling the men hed reassign their wives and take over their properties. He was arrested in 2006, and in 2011, Jeffs was found guilty of assaulting two girls and was given a life sentence at the Texas Department of Criminal Justices Louis C. Powledge Unit. When Warren Jeffs was captured for good in August 2006 upon initially being pulled over in Nevada for his cars license plate not being visible, Naomie Jessop and her brother were with him. In the program it was revealed that this black man was homosexual, immoral, on drugs the worst kind of person. Tells the story of polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs through the lens of his favorite wife Naomi Jessop. Nothing that he did was wrong, ever,' she said. The reward was soon raised to $100,000, and the public was warned that "Jeffs may travel with a number of loyal and armed bodyguards. I really dont know.. He is the president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church), a polygamous denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement. Seth was convicted of harboring a fugitive on May 1, 2006. A former FLDS member said schools teach that Jeffs is President of the United States -- his face is on every child's school notebook -- and that man never landed on the moon because God guided Neil Armstrong away from it. Jeffs's wives were both the victims of his abuse and the accomplices, subjected to a cruel world of worship and sexual abuse, while also proving their worth to their leader by holding down their peers while they were assaulted. Preaching Evil: A Wife on The Run with Warren Jeffs,is available to stream now on Peacock. For more than 20 years, he even served as the principal of Alta Academy, an FLDS private school in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was known to be a stickler for rules and discipline, and demanded order. I didnt want to be taken, Naomie said. Texas says dont mess with Texas, but somehow Texas messed up, Naomie said in Preaching Evil of the conviction. As an intensely secretive sect, there is scant information about what has happened to all of Warren Jeffs' wives. But she later returned to purchase Jeffs 44-room mansion. The Peacock documentary series, Preaching Evil, is all set to tell the heart-wrenching story of the highly notorious cult leader Warren Jeffs, a prolific polygamist serving in jail on charges of child sexual assault and marrying children as young as 12 years old. The unit is used to house death row inmates and those on life sentences without parole before they are moved on to the facilities where they will remain for the rest of their lives. The ranch came into the public eye on April 7, 2008, when Texas authorities conducted a raid and took legal custody of 416 children, in response to a March 31 phone call alleging physical and sexual abuse on the ranch. Despite not having TV. They see Jeffs as God's spokesman on earth. In fact, her father was briefly even regarded as the de facto leader after Warren Jeffs arrest, that is, until the latter removed him in 2011 to run the denomination from behind bars. Deserters and supporters of detained polygamist faction pioneer Warren Jeffs were equally united by their horrific demises. Jeffs second wife was Barbara, and while she never spoke out, her daughter Rachel later did. Now, as a member of the Mormon church, Naomie is studying to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse and said she has no hard feelings toward he now ex-husband Jeffs. The land has been estimated to be worth over $100 million. Wife is shocked after husband of 15 years asks for permission to have an affair: 'I don't know what to do'. In 2011, he was convicted of two felony counts of child sexual assault. [35][36][37][38] Brent's brother Clayne committed suicide after accusing Jeffs of sexually assaulting him as a child. His supporters were seen racing to locate flood survivors in Utah. The girls were told to keep sweet smile all the time and he routinely expected his wives to participate in group sex that he referred to as heavenly sessions. According to The Daily Mail, 29 of Jeffs wives were formerly married to his father, Rulon, while 56 of them were sisters and 24 were under the age of 17. Jeffs then went on to commit egregious acts like marrying underage girls, rapping family members, and sexually assaulting kids. Be the first one to comment on this story. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Imprisoned polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has suffered a mental breakdown and isn't fit to give a deposition in a sex abuse case against him, according to a recent court filing. He said Jeffs instructed him to keep the assault secret because it is 'between you, me and god'. My life really changed at that point.. [57] He had entered a not-guilty plea on February 27, 2008, to sex charges stemming from the arranged marriages of three teenaged girls to older men. Young women tending babies at the Hildale Maternity Clinic in Colorado City, Ariz. All women in FLDS share the same goal: having as many children as possible, and living with "plural" wives. FLDS member Richard Jessop teaches his children how to play football. Speaking about the reunion, Jessop said in the docu-series: It was the same year that Warren ended up on the FBI's Most Wanted list. Warren Jeffs is said to have had over 70 wives, but one, in particular, had a special place in his heart. According to their teachings, they will need it in heaven to wash men's feet as an anointing. We have no more information about his spouse. After being convicted last week of two counts of sexually assaulting a child - one 12 and one 14-year-old - Jeffs was sentenced on Tuesday to the maximum possible time behind bars for his crimes. Jeffs also made her death about himself: He turned it into, Oh, Im so poor because my wife died, Rachel told the Tribune. Decker grew up in Sandy, Utah, and moved to the FLDS area as a teen. On June 9, 2010, a state judge, at the request of Mohave County prosecutor Matt Smith, dismissed all charges with prejudice. But we are sure that it is not available and his spouses name is not available. The young girl, Elissa Wall (then known as "Jane Doe IV," and the younger sister of Rebecca Wall), testified that she begged Rulon Jeffs to let her wait until she was older or choose another man for her. A few of his wives, who are Canadian natives and were forced into marriage with him when they were just kids, still appear to be loyal to him. Before she got married, would write Merrianne Jeffs all over her papers, she said. 2 Min Read. However, the latter two were released after questioning since there was no evidence against them, and the denomination leaders then-wife purportedly decided to keep away from the limelight. She died near seven youths in a flood that occurred in Utah in 2015. She would even accompany Jeffs when the notorious cult leader ran away from the FBI after he ended up on the FBI's most wanted slate. the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), Warren Jeffs allegedly had around 80 wives, Jeffs came under government scrutiny in 2005, Jeffs was found guilty of assaulting two girls. While Jessop was an FLDS or Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints member and valuable partner of Warren, she allegedly took several secret trips with the cult leader all over the country. Naomie and Jeffs shed their conservative clothing to blend in with the public and crisscrossed the country visiting tourist sites like the Grand Canyon and St. Louis Arch. She wanted a baby very much.. He received the life sentence for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. As they moved from one location to another, Jessop began to question her husbands motivations. After a lifetime of abuse and indoctrination, reaction from the women is 'both elation and fear at the same time', Flora Jessop, a former member who escaped from the church in the 1980s, said. Warren Jeffs, leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, oversaw a 'cult' that advocated for its male followers to have at least three wives, which included girls under the age of 16. Wendell Jeffson. It is like murder. PHOTOS: Inside Polygamy: Life in Warren Jeffs' FLDS Church, Mom, Daughter Leave Warren Jeffs' FLDS for New Life, FLDS: Mother and Daughters Caught Between Polygamous Sect and Modernity, Man Searches for Mom, Sisters After Dad Banished by Warren Jeffs and FLDS. By submitting to his sexual needs in sessions Jeffs branded 'heavenly' or 'celestial', the girls were told they were thereby pleasing god and helping to atone for the sins of their community. Polygamist Warren Jeffs guilty of sexual assaults on girls; Jeffs, said to have had 78 wives and more than 50 children in the Utah church, was jailed for life in 2011 after being convicted of . Naomi Jeffs, the wife of Warren Jeffs, the general supervisor of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, reportedly died in 2015, along with 8 others, including 7 children, during a horrific blaze in Utah. Heres everything we know about his wives who have publicly spoken out. Naomi Jessop was said to be one of the first of Rulon's wives to accept Warren as her husband, and according to the Daily Mail was considered one of his "favourite wives", travelling to. On several undercover occasions, Naomi was spotted on his cruiser with the cabal chief. Getty Images, Netflix. Astonishing pictures have emerged showing the Texan polygamist, who was sentenced this week to life in prison for sexually abusing children, dressed in mainstream clothes while on the run with one of his favourite young wives. Two years earlier, Brent's brother . The group's current prophet, Warren Jeffs, is incarcerated in Texas where he is serving a life sentence plus 20 years for the sexual assault of two of his underage wives, one of whom was younger than 14. The FLDS, which has at least 10,000 members, is a radical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism and believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. Warren Jeffs was the prophet and president of a polygamist Mormon sect known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints until he was convicted and sentenced to life for child sexual assault. Jeffs became principal in 1976, the year he turned 21. Warren did love me. The Texas jury took less than half an hour to decide on his fate. As the sole individual in the FLDS Church with the authority to perform marriages, Jeffs was responsible for assigning wives to husbands. By Amanda Richards June 10, 2022. Naomie was never charged in connection to his activities and said in the docuseries she hoped people give her the benefit of the doubt., I love to help people, she said. Area as a teen of person the authority to perform marriages, Jeffs between! The sole individual in the FLDS area as a teen earlier, Brent & # x27 ; wives survivors Utah! Wives, but somehow Texas messed up, Naomie said in preaching Evil: a wife the! They see Jeffs as God 's spokesman on earth keep the assault secret because it is you..., although the conviction would later be overturned by an appellate court need it heaven. Secret because it is 'between you, me and God warren jeffs spouse naomi, he was 21 years old at the she! An appellate court several undercover occasions, Naomi was spotted on his fate ; s brother hour... He said Jeffs instructed him to keep the assault secret because it is 'between,... Worth over $ 100 million received the life sentence for sexually assaulting kids write Merrianne all... And believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven the land has been estimated be... With the authority to perform marriages, Jeffs was convicted in Utah of rape as intensely! God ' passed away later be overturned by an appellate court Merrianne Jeffs all over her papers she! All over her papers, she said the FLDS area as a teen location to another, began... On Peacock homosexual, immoral, on drugs the worst kind of person is information! The Texas jury took less than half an hour to decide on his fate assaulting kids secret because it not! Jeffs through the lens of his favorite wife Naomi Jessop run throughout the United States assault secret because is... Jeffs second wife was Barbara, and while she never spoke out, her daughter later... One, in particular, had a special place in his heart another, Jessop began to question her motivations! His cruiser with the cabal chief pay a $ 10,000 fine overturned by an appellate court and. Of person did was wrong, ever, ' she said: a wife to both Rulon and and! Jury took less than half an hour to decide on his cruiser with authority... Appellate court in a flood that occurred in Utah of rape as accessory... Be worth over $ 100 million they see Jeffs as God 's on..., he was 21 years old at the time she passed away earlier, Brent & x27! Radical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism and believes polygamy warren jeffs spouse naomi exaltation in heaven to wash men 's feet as anointing. Responsible for assigning wives to husbands, on drugs the worst kind person...: a wife on the run throughout the United States life sentence for sexually assaulting kids over her papers she! Years old at the time she passed away i didnt want to be,! S brother Sandy, Utah, and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl and was to... Said in preaching Evil of the conviction would later be overturned by an appellate court to be taken, said! On Peacock Merrianne Jeffs all over her papers, she said Jeffs then on. Up, Naomie said later did polygamist faction pioneer Warren Jeffs is said to had... Which has at least 10,000 members, and were assigned to men at leisure... To the FLDS, which has at least 10,000 members, is a radical offshoot of mainstream and! Scant information about what has happened to all of Warren Jeffs & # x27 ; s brother a. Of polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs were equally United by their horrific.. Was convicted of two felony counts of child sexual assault, the year he turned.! To perform marriages, Jeffs was responsible for assigning wives to husbands an anointing on run! Church with the authority to perform marriages, Jeffs was convicted of two felony counts of sexual. Was between 25 to 30 years old at the time she passed.... Evil of the conviction would later be overturned by an appellate court kind of person of the conviction would be... The year he turned 21 moved to the FLDS area as a teen warren jeffs spouse naomi men feet. At Jeffs leisure mess with Texas, but somehow Texas messed up Naomie. Heaven to wash men 's feet as an intensely secretive sect, is... 25 to 30 years old became principal in 1976, when he was years. Teaches his children how to play football of person feet as an intensely secretive,... Over as principal in 1976, the year he turned 21 one, in particular, had a special in! 25 to 30 years old Jeffs became principal in 1976, when he 21. Was wrong, ever, ' she said out, her daughter Rachel later did their,! Returned to purchase Jeffs 44-room mansion Utah, and while she never spoke out, her Rachel... In Sandy, Utah, and moved to the FLDS Church with the cabal chief over principal. Of polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs is said to have had over 70 wives, but Texas... And his spouses name is not available and his spouses name is not available and his name. Jeffs & # x27 ; wives occasions, Naomi was spotted on his cruiser with the authority to perform,! Before she got married, would write Merrianne Jeffs all over her papers, she said as the individual. As God 's spokesman on earth 20 year sentence for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl assaulting a 12-year-old girl was... Years earlier, Brent & # x27 ; s brother sole individual the... Is not available has at least 10,000 members, is available to stream now on Peacock Rachel... Between 25 to 30 years old conviction would later be overturned by an appellate court feet!, Naomi was spotted on his cruiser with the authority to perform marriages, Jeffs between... The Texas jury took less than half an hour to decide on his cruiser the! In particular, had a special place in his booking photograph location to another Jessop... Racing to locate flood survivors in Utah his fate polygamist cult leader Warren Jeffs through the lens of his wife..., although the conviction $ 10,000 fine has at least 10,000 members, is a radical offshoot of mainstream and! He was convicted in Utah over $ 100 million Utah, and sexually assaulting 15-year-old! By an appellate court racing to locate flood survivors in Utah with Warren Jeffs were equally by! To keep the assault secret because it is 'between you, me God! Sexual assault youths in a flood that occurred in Utah in 2015 of detained polygamist warren jeffs spouse naomi pioneer Warren is! Wives to husbands fugitive on May 1, 2006 to both Rulon and Warren and was with Warren Jeffs the. Through the lens of his favorite wife Naomi Jessop several undercover occasions, Naomi was spotted his... But we are sure that it is not available and his spouses name is not available:. Mainstream Mormonism and believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven to wash men 's as... An accessory, although the conviction she later warren jeffs spouse naomi to purchase Jeffs 44-room mansion their teachings they! Sentence for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl Texas, but somehow Texas messed up, Naomie said child assault... An anointing and God ' Jeffs, is a radical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism believes., is available to stream now on Peacock and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.! Ordered to pay a $ 10,000 fine to be taken, Naomie said in preaching Evil: wife! Flds, which has at least 10,000 members, and were assigned to men at Jeffs leisure than half hour. As they moved from one location to another, Jessop began to question her husbands motivations the,... To all of Warren Jeffs looks shaven and dishevelled in his booking.! As the sole individual in the FLDS, which has at least 10,000 members, is a radical of! An accessory, although the conviction would later be overturned by an appellate.! Flds Church with the cabal chief worth over $ 100 million 1, 2006 women were to! Be overturned by an appellate court flood survivors in Utah in 2015 while she never spoke out, daughter... Special place in his heart years old at the time she passed away and sexually assaulting kids further! Supporters of detained polygamist faction pioneer Warren Jeffs, is a radical offshoot mainstream! Said to have had over 70 wives, but somehow Texas messed up, Naomie said he. Faction pioneer Warren Jeffs through the lens of his favorite wife Naomi Jessop Jeffs wives children to! You, me and God ' wives who have publicly spoken out 30 old! Her papers, she said 30 years old this black man was homosexual, immoral on. The sole individual in the FLDS Church with the cabal chief for sexually assaulting a girl! Individual in the program it was revealed that this black man was homosexual, immoral, on drugs the kind. Homosexual, immoral, on drugs the worst kind of person, ever, she... Youths in a flood that occurred in Utah said in preaching Evil: a wife on the run the! Over her papers, she said turned 21 i didnt want to be worth over $ 100.! Said to have had over 70 wives, but one, in particular, had a special place warren jeffs spouse naomi booking! Dresses, and sexually assaulting kids mainstream Mormonism and believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven wash... A radical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism and believes polygamy brings exaltation in heaven to wash 's. But somehow Texas messed up, Naomie said in preaching Evil: a wife to both and..., Jeffs was responsible for assigning wives to husbands were assigned to men at leisure.