October 27, 2009
Polygamist Sect Criminal Trial Begins
ELDORADO, Texas -- The first of a dozen polygamist sect members charged with abuse of women stands trial Monday, 18 months after agents raided the group's remote ranch and carted off more than 400 children in the largest child-custody case in American history. Raymond Jessop, 38, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault of a child, a charge stemming from his alleged marriage to an underage girl in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He will be tried later on a separate count of bigamy related to a second alleged underage bride. In all, 12 sect members have been charged with crimes ranging from failure to report child abuse to sexual assault and bigamy.Click Here For The Full Story......