ST. GEORGE, Utah — A judge sentenced a polygamous-sect leader Tuesday to five years to life in prison for his role in the arranged marriage of teenage cousins.
Warren Jeffs, 51, was convicted of rape as an accomplice for his role in the marriage of a 14-year-old follower and her 19-year-old cousin in 2001.
It will be up to the Utah parole board to decide how long he stays behind bars.
“This was all about religion,” defense attorney Wally Bugden said outside the court. “The foundation of this case was the prosecution of Mr. Jeffs because of placement marriages.”
Jeffs is head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, whose members practice polygamy in arranged marriages that have often involved placing young girls with older men. Most FLDS members live in the twin communities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., about 350 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.
Washington County prosecutors said Jeffs enticed Elissa Wall into marriage and sex against her will by telling her the relationship was commanded by God and that any refusal would place her salvation at risk.
Jurors said Wall’s age was a major factor in their decision.
Wall, now 21, testified that Jeffs failed to help her when she protested the marriage and when she later asked for a divorce because she was uncomfortable having sex with Allen Steed.
Steed, now 26, said Wall initiated sex, and he denied that she had cried during their wedding ceremony.
As a victim in the case, Wall had the right to receive $5,000 from Jeffs as restitution, but she declined Tuesday.
“My restitution is knowing that I spoke the truth and that you and the justice system have done your job,” she told state Judge James Shumate.
Wall was granted an FLDS divorce by Jeffs after she became pregnant with another man’s child; she left the faith and is married.
Steed was charged with rape Sept. 26, the day after Jeffs’ conviction. His case is pending.
The mainstream Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, disavows any link with the FLDS church.
