New allegations against polygamous sect police

SALT LAKE CITY — The Arizona attorney general wants a federal judge to disband the police department in Warren Jeffs’ polygamous sect on the Utah-Arizona border, citing what he says is new proof that the agency is the splinter religious group’s de facto law enforcement arm.

In a federal court filing this week, Arizona prosecutors say the former police chief for Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, provided information that proves the agencies are influenced by sect leaders and discriminate against nonmembers of the religious group.

Chief Helaman Barlow told prosecutors in April that church leaders choose who goes to the police academy, have access to surveillance cameras around town and ordered officers to follow a church edict that bars Internet use even though it inhibits police work, court records show.

Barlow, who went to authorities after he was put on leave from his position and received immunity from prosecutors, said the agency ignores marriages to underage girls. He also acknowledged secretly taping conversations he had with the FBI and Texas law enforcement with the intent of sending them to Warren Jeffs, who is serving a life sentence in Texas for sexually assaulting underage girls he considered brides.

Known as The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the sect is a radical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism whose members believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. Polygamy is a legacy of the early teachings of the mainstream Mormon church, but the faith abandoned the practice in 1890 and strictly prohibits it today.

Blake Hamilton, attorney for Hildale, told The Associated Press there’s no legal basis for disbanding the agency. He refuted claims that the five police officers are under control of sect leaders, pointing to the fact that no officer there has been decertified by the state in seven years.

He questioned the validity of Barlow’s comments considering the chief told prosecutors he lied under oath during a March trial in Arizona. During that trial, a federal judge ruled a family living in the communities was denied a household water connection for religious reasons.

“When was he telling the truth?” Hamilton said.

Barlow told prosecutors in the April interview that he lied at the trial out of fear that he would lose his job or be kicked out of the community.

An attorney for Colorado City didn’t immediately return a request for comment.

If the judge doesn’t disband the agencies, Arizona prosecutors are asking for a monitor to oversee daily operations and hiring and firing.

This is not the first time Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne has tried to take authority from the police department. He contends the agency has for a decade taken orders from church leaders at the expense of legitimate law enforcement work.

Horne championed a measure in the Arizona Legislature in 2013 that would have stripped power from the agency, but the bill stalled in the Senate. His office also has provided funds for several years to the Mohave County sheriff’s office so it can patrol the polygamous community.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Everett
Cat killed, 9 people displaced after duplex fire in Everett

None of the people were injured in the fire reported around 1:15 a.m. in the 11500 block of Meridian Avenue S.

Brian Henrichs, left, and Emily Howe, right, begin sifting out the bugs from their bug trap along Port Susan on Monday, May 22, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘A delta for the future’: Scientists try to save salmon at Stilly’s mouth

The Stillaguamish River’s south fork once supported 20,000 salmon. In 2019, fewer than 500 fish returned to spawn.

Mountlake Terrace Library, part of the Sno-Isle Libraries, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Sno-Isle workers cite safety, unfilled positions in union push

Workers also pointed to inconsistent policies and a lack of a say in decision-making. Leadership says they’ve been listening.

A view over the Port of Everett Marina looking toward the southern Whidbey Island fault zone in March 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County agencies to simulate major disaster

The scenario will practice the response to an earthquake or tsunami. Dozens of agencies will work with pilots.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Mountlake Terrace eyes one-time projects for $2.4M in federal funds

Staff recommended $750,000 for a new roof and HVAC at the library, $250,000 toward the a nonprofit facility in Lynnwood and more.

Funko mascots Freddy Funko roll past on a conveyor belt in the Pop! Factory of the company's new flagship store on Aug. 18, 2017.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Lawsuit: Funko misled investors about Arizona move

A shareholder claims Funko’s decision to relocate its distribution center from Everett to Arizona was “disastrous.”

Senator Maria Cantwell (center) hosted a roundtable to discuss the fentanyl crisis Monday, June 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. Cantwell was joined community leaders and those who have been personally impacted by the issue. (Photo provided by the office of Maria Cantwell)
Everett leaders cite jaw-dropping stats on fentanyl crisis

Sen. Maria Cantwell gathered those affected by the opioid crisis Monday to push for a unified response to soaring overdoses.

Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
For sale: Whidbey’s fabled ‘Pork Chop Express’ gets great smileage

Asking price is $500 for the 1991 Subaru Justy, a three-cylinder econobox with 65K miles and a transmission as rare as hen’s teeth.

The Snohomish River turns along the edge of the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
To build a healthier Snohomish River, more log jams

About $2.8M in grants will help engineer log jams, tear down levees and promote salmon restoration at Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve.

Most Read