Jeffs Pleads Not Guilty In New Case

Polygamist Leader Faces New Charges In Arizona

POSTED: 7:46 am PST February 27, 2008

UPDATED: 8:11 am PST February 27, 2008

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs entered a not guilty plea Wednesday to sex charges stemming from the arranged marriages of two teenage girls to older men.

The court appearance was Jeffs' first in Arizona, where prosecutors filed charges against him even before he faced charges in Utah.

Jeffs was convicted of using his status in the church to influence a 14-year-old girl to marry her 19-year-old cousin. Prosecutors said Jeffs forced the girl into the marriage and sex against her will. Under Utah law, a 14-year-old can consent to sex in some circumstances. But sex is not considered consensual if a person younger than 18 is enticed by someone at least three years older.

He was sentenced to two terms of five years to life in prison for the arranged marriage. He was also fined over $37,000 in connection to the charges.

Jeffs was the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints based in Colorado City, Ariz. and nearby Hildale, Utah.

Previous Stories:

February 26, 2008: Jeffs In Arizona To Face Charges
December 5, 2007: Jeffs' Attorneys Seek New Trial
November 27, 2007: Jeffs' Attorney Petitions To Move Ariz. Trial
November 22, 2007: Jeffs Sentenced To Five Years To Life
November 7, 2007: Report: Jeffs Attempted Suicide
September 25, 2007: Jeffs' Jury Comes To Decision
September 24, 2007: Jurors Return To Jeffs Case
August 31, 2006: Polygamist Leader Won't Fight Extradition
August 30, 2006: Fugitive Polygamist Caught With $50,000 Cash, Wig

Copyright 2008 by KVVU.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.