FLDS: William E. Jessop is trying to get home occupied by Seth Jeffs

The Salt Lake Tribune/September 25, 2013

By Nate Carlisle

Colorado City, Arizona -- There have been a lot of housing disputes here in recent years, but the one on the corner of Academy Avenue and Barlow Street features some high profile names.

William E. Jessop, who is leading a group of dissidents who have left the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is trying to move into the house. Its current occupant is Seth Jeffs.

He’s the brother of Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the FLDS. Seth Jeffs was arrested in October 2005, carrying money and letters meant for his brother Warren, who was still a fugitive at the time.

On paper, the home belongs to the United Effort Plan, the trust holding much of the property here and in Hildale, Utah, that is currently in receivership. But one person today told me Jessop built the house and lived in it for years. The trust fiduciary, Bruce Wisan, has typically tried to return homes to people with reasonable claims on them.

But there’s no indication Seth Jeffs plans to leave soon. Outside the compound Tuesday, I saw what appeared to be new cameras on a wall surrounding the house. I counted three cameras — one on each public corner of the compound.

Earlier this year, we told you about the network of cameras in the two towns. We even posted a Google map of the cameras we were able to find and document.

The cameras are meant to spy on residents — mostly those loyal to Warren Jeffs to see if they are associating with those who are not.

Speaking of the cameras, you can help us add to our Google map. Send us photos and GPS coordinates or other descriptions of the locations.

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