The polygamist sect known as "The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" (FLDS), led by jailed "prophet" Warren Jeffs who is now facing trial in Texas on sex charges, maintains a remote 140-acre compound 12 miles southwest of Pringle, South Dakota.
The majority of the FLDS membership is largely concentrated in the twin border towns of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City Arizona. The FLDS is in no way associated with the mainstream Mormon Church (LDS) based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The land for the South Dakota compound was purchased by David Allred, who is a close advisor to Jeffs. Allred is also the man that bought the land for the "Yearning for Zion Ranch" in Texas, which has been called a "cult compound."
The FLDS South Dakota compound includes:
Five lodges
- One at 3,330 square feet
- One at 5,002 square feet
- One at 6,570 square feet
- One at 6,336 square feet
- One at 11,309 square feet
Three sheds - total of 526 square feet
One pole structure - 960 square feet
One shop building - 14,937 square feet
One garage - 961 square feet
One watchtower
One single-family type residence, 1,704 square feet
Total assessed value: $4.58 million
Property taxes for 2007: $37,943
It has been estimated that the compound can accommodate between 75 to 100 people.
Six children were registered during 2008 with the Custer School District for home schooling.
Note: This news summary is based upon an article published February 27, 2008 by the Rapid City Journal titled "FLDS compound poised for more construction" By Steve Miller
Copyright © 2011 Rick Ross.
