And here is more from the same paper:
http://thehopeorg.org/news_colorado_WMT_FBI_believes_Warren_was_hiding_here.html
Sheriff Jobe: FBI believes fundamentalist leader Jeffs was in hiding here
By Nora Drenner
Wet Mountain Tribune - Westcliffe, Colorado
For the last two years, members of the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints have been acquiring property in Custer County and are moving in. And, said Custer County sheriff Fred Jobe, it appears the group’s incarcerated leader, Warren Jeffs, was hiding out here last year.
Jeffs was recently convicted in Utah of two counts of being an accomplice to rape and he is currently serving at least 10 years in prison.
News of the cult’s ties to Custer County came last week in an article in the Rocky Mountain News, and in the "Hatewatch" website sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In an interview with the Tribune Tuesday night, Jobe said his office had been contacted by the FBI in the spring of 2007 to be on the lookout for Jeffs, who was on the lam.
Jeffs had disappeared after authorities began investigating the FLDS practice of polygamy involving minor girls and older men in Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah, said Jobe.
Federal authorities were alerted to Jeffs’ possible whereabouts, said Jobe, by Wendell Musser, who served as Jeffs’ courier and family caretaker for Jeffs’ numerous wives.
Reportedly, Musser was hiding those wives in Custer County and from time to time Jeffs would visit here.
Also assisting Musser was Lee A. Steed, said Jobe. Steed is believed to be in Jeffs’ inner circle.
In 2006, noted Jobe, suspected members of the FLDS church purchased a small piece of property in the Blumenau subdivision near Rosita as a hideaway for Jeffs and his wives.
Musser was apparently assigned to stay at the cabin to safeguard the women, Jobe said, however, the compound in the Wet Mountains was later abandoned and sold.
A story regarding Musser’s and Jeffs’ months in Westcliffe, as well as in compounds located in Fremont County, appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 in May of last year.
Local records, said Jobe, indicate that in the last two years, Steed has purchased 35-acres in the Bull Domingo subdivision north of Westcliffe.
Also acquired by Steed, said Jobe, were two 80-acre lots off Hermit Road west of Kettle Lane. Additionally, said Jobe, a single family dwelling on Verdemont Road has been rented by suspected members of the FLDS.
And, said Jobe, Steed is in the process of purchasing another piece of property south of Colfax Road, however, that purchase has not been finalized.
Jobe said his office has been keeping an eye on the happenings inside the properties and it appears families connected to the FLDS church are moving in.
He said it’s difficult to determine the exact numbers of people living at the various properties being watched.
Jobe also said that while polygamy is a crime, it’s difficult to prove because the parties involved typically don’t have state-issued marriage licenses but instead live communally. The primary concern to authorities is the possibility of young girls marrying older members of the sect and perhaps being subjected to abuse.
County zoning director Jackie Hobby confirmed Steed was issued a building permit in June 2007 to build a barn on the Bull Domingo property. And, since building permits are issued for two years, he is in compliance with the counties zoning regulations.
Jobe said the men from the compound sometime come to town, however, the women and children are staying out of the public eye.
"We don’t believe they are a threat to the neighbors or anyone else in the county," said Jobe.
Jobe further noted members of the FLDS should not be confused with the Amish families living south of town.
And, said Jobe they are not affiliated with the mainstream Mormon Church.
"For now," said Jobe, "we will continue surveillance to make sure they comply with all laws." That surveillance, noted Jobe, will include regular aerial flyovers to make sure all zoning regulations are being followed.
Jobe continued, "Our biggest concern is the children."
Jobe said that in April, federal authorities raided a FLDS compound in Eldorado, Texas, and took custody of more than 400 children there in an effort to see how many had been abused and sexually assaulted.
On Tuesday of this week, the county commissioners held a closed-door session with Jobe, apparently to discuss the matter. Also invited to the executive session were Hobby, undersheriff Craig Feldmann, and human services director Laura Lockhart.
County commissioner Dick Downey said the reason for the executive session was to update and review a zoning issue that may result in future litigation.
Jobe was instructed by the commissioners to issue a press release to the Tribune regarding Steed and his acquisition of property.
WetMountainTribune.com
Originally published Thursday, May 22, 2008
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