Warren Jeffs: Yearning For Zion Ranch Might Be Seized By Texas

Eldorado, TX – Warren Jeffs’ ranch might be seized by the state of Texas. The Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) compound was where the religious leader lived and preached until he was convicted for sexually assaulting children.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office filed a seizure warrant on Wednesday, according to the Christian Science Monitor. A judge will ultimately determine if the state can garner ownership of the 1,600-acre ranch in Eldorado, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Attorney general’s office spokesman Jerry Strickland noted that the seizure request does not mean that FLDS followers currently residing on the Yearning for Zion Ranch will have to vacate immediately.

The warrant request is being touted as the next step in the final chapter of the five-year prosecution against Warren Jeffs and other indicted FLDS followers. Strickland also stated that it is still too early to venture a guess as to what Texas would do with the Yearning for Zion Ranch if granted ownership privileges.

Strickland had this to add about the state’s desire to seize Warren Jeffs’ ranch:

“It’s unknown how many families are still living at the ranch in Eldorado, located about 200 miles west of San Antonio. This is simply the next step.”

Warren Jeffs was convicted of sexually assaulting two of his underage brides. The prosecution utilized DNS evidence to prove that Jeffs was the father of a 15-year-old girl’s child. The FLDS leader is currently serving a life term in a Texas prison. The preacher is allegedly continuing to try to lead the followers of his church while behind bars. The state reportedly spent more than $4.5 million to garner convictions against Jeffs and 10 of his church members.