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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, December 16-19, 2017 The Park Record Former polygamous sect leader gets nearly 5 years in food stamp fraud case BRADY MCCOMBS Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A former polygamous sect leader was sentenced Wednesday to nearly five years in prison for his role in carrying out an elaborate food stamp fraud scheme and for escaping home confinement while awaiting trial. The sentencing of Lyle Jeffs closes the book on a major government bust that took several years to investigate, culminating in February 2016 with fraud and money laundering charges against him and 10 other group members. Lyle Jeffs was accused of being the ring-leader of a scheme that diverted some $11 million in food-stamp benefits to a communal storehouse and front companies over several years. U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart said during a hearing in Salt Lake City that Lyle Jeffs deserved the 57-month prison sentence because his behavior showed he doesn’t respect U.S. laws and puts his allegiance to his brother and the sect’s imprisoned prophet, Warren Jeffs, above everything else. Stewart said Lyle Jeffs’ religious beliefs provide context for his decision to “blindly” follow his brother’s orders, but don’t justify the fact that he “cheated” taxpayers out of government funds. “Mr. Jeffs is an adult. He knows right from wrong,” Stewart said. Lyle Jeffs is a lifelong member of the Mormon offshoot group based on the Utah-Arizona border known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS. Lyle Jeffs 57, spoke briefly and said he accepted responsibility for his mistakes and that he erred in not properly researching food stamp fraud laws. He was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit benefits fraud and failure to appear. “I do your honor humbly and respectfully say that I acknowledge my mistakes and decision-making,” said Lyle Jeffs, his hands and ankles shackled. “I do humbly accept my responsibly for my actions. I don’t blame anyone.” The cases against the 10 other defendants ended in plea deals without prison time or with dismissed charges, but prosecutors made Lyle Jeffs their top priority from the outset. They dug in even more against him after he became a fugitive in June 2016 after he slipped off an ankle monitoring device while out on supervised release. The FBI put up a $50,000 reward. He was caught in South Dakota a year later after pawn shop workers spotted him and called police. Prosecutor Robert Lund said he hopes the sentence sends a strong message to Lyle Jeffs and other sect leaders that a “culture of corruption” in recent years won’t be tolerated. He said Lyle Jeffs and other leaders lived and ate well while lower-level group members suffered, using businesses and special instructions to members to try and conceal the scheme. “This case cries out for a message to that community,” Lund said. “They must obey the law.” Lund added about Lyle Jeffs: “There is no training, no treatment for what ails the defendant.” The food stamp investigation was one of several government crackdowns on the group in recent years that has weakened the sect and created a leadership void in its home base in the sister cities of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. The town governments and the police are being watched closely by court-appointed monitors after a jury found them guilty of civil rights violations. Government-ordered evictions of sect families from nearly 150 homes has forced many to seek refuge in trailers around the communities or in different cities across the West. Last month, the mayor’s office and three council seats in Hildale that had always been controlled by FLDS members were taken over by former sect members. Warren Jeffs is serving a life sentence in Texas for sexually assaulting girls he considered wives. Lyle Jeffs’ attorney Kathryn Nester said the scheme wasn’t malicious but meant to ensure everyone in the group had food to eat as part of the group’s religious beliefs in communal living. She said her client was serving his faith just as he’s done his entire life. “His salvation was on the line like everybody else’s,” Nester said. She said Lyle Jeffs has already suffered tremendously because he’s been banned from the sect by Warren Jeffs. That means he’s lost his family, his job and his faith. “If you’re looking to humble him, I think we’re there,” Nester said. Nester tried to get a more lenient sentence by telling Judge Stewart that a “perfect storm” of factors led her client and the group to share the food stamps and that it won’t ever happen again. Stewart said he’s not so sure based on letters sent in by Jeffs’ friends who were trying to vouch for his character. He said several of them referred to the charges as religious persecution, leading him to believe they still don’t understand the seriousness of the crime. “That troubles me because it suggests it could happen again,” Stewart said. “The deterrent effect has not been felt by some members of the community.” Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Cody Kristen Cashew Ava Cody is a 2-year-old Cattle Dog mix and all-around great dog. He adores people, loves to play with other dogs, and doesn’t really show any interest in cats. He’s as sweet as can be and is looking for the perfect forever family! Meet Kristen, an 8-month-old Shepherd mix! She’s very sweet, loves to play, and aims to please. She likes other dogs and is curious about cats, so she may do well in a home with cats. She’s an energetic girl who’d be great in an active family! Cashew is a 1-year-old Cattle Dog/ Shepherd mix. He has a ton of energy and needs lots of exercise. He’s learning his manners and basic obedience commands, and he’s a smart guy! Cashew prefers a home where he is the only pet. Ava is a 9-month-old Lab mix. She’s an energetic girl who loves to play. She plays with other dogs and seems to ignore cats. Ava is learning some basic manners but is a fast learner! She’s happy and sweet and loves people! Jonah Woody Frostbite Beeker Jonah’s a handsome Siamese mix. He may look a little grumpy, but he’s sweet and social! He’s about ten-years-old, and loves to spend his days lounging around the house or curled up on a lap. He gets along well with other cats! Woody’s an outgoing 4-year-old grey and white Domestic Shorthair. Woody’s got a big personality and is very friendly with people, He can be bossy towards other cats, but once they make a connection is best bud for life! This is Frostbite but he’s anything but cold! He’d love to snuggle and keep you warm on a chilly winter day! Frostbite is about two-years-old, and is easy-going and relaxed. He is curious, friendly, and loves to be near people! Beeker is a 2-year-old Snowshoe mix with a beautiful coat and bright blue eyes. He’s shy but sweet, and gets along well with people and other cats. Beeker would be happiest in a quiet home where he can snuggle with his people. Wanted: Volunteers These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words National Ability Center The National Ability Center is seeking volunteers for the Summit Challenge, Utah’s largest ride for cyclists of all abilities. The Summit Challenge is a fully supported road ride of 16, 52 or 102 miles through the scenic mountains and valleys of Summit and Wasatch counties. To sign up, visit SummitChallenge100.org/volunteer. Volunteers interested in cycling, bike maintenance, archery, water sports, climbing and more are always needed on a weekly basis Monday through Saturday. Email volunteer@discovernac.org to get started. Nuzzles & Co. Nuzzles & Co. is looking for volunteers to help furry friends waiting for adoption. This local nonprofit needs people to walk dogs, socialize with the animals, and assist with pet care and cleanup. Shifts are available at the Tanger Outlets adoption center from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and at the Rescue & Rehab Ranch from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, contact Nuzzles & Co. at 435-649-5441 or visit nuzzlesandco.org. Park City Hospital Park City Hospital is looking for volunteers to welcome patients, and to brighten their day with flowers, art and meals. Volunteers are also asked to perform a variety of other fun tasks. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and commit to at least one shift of three hours per week. Please email lisa.graham@imail.org for more information. Park City Museum Do you love history and Park City? Are you interested in furthering your involvement in the community? The Park City Museum needs volunteers to help install and take down traveling exhibits, catalog and process collection items, assist in the Research Library, lead both adult tours and school group programs and assist as gallery guides. Please contact Jenette Purdy at the Park City Museum for information: 435-649-7457 or education@parkcityhistory.org. Park City READS Park City READS (Recognizing, Educating and Advocating for Dyslexic Students) promotes elevating literacy through early identification of struggling readers, effective reading interventions and appropriate classroom accommodations. Park City READS helps people navigate through diagnostic testing, school interventions, tutoring and technology resources. Membership is free and open to the public. For information about volunteer opportunities, contact ParkCityREADS@gmail.com or search for PC READS on Facebook. PCSD Good Neighbors Program Park City School District needs volunteers to help adult English-language learners or adults with limited literacy skills and confidence to live and thrive in our community. Tutor conversational English, grammar, reading and/or writing. Morning, afternoon, evening and weekend sessions are available and the time commitment is approximately three to four hours per week. For information, contact Judy Tukuafu at 435-615-0216 or jtukuafu@pcschools.us. Peace House Peace House is a charitable organization dedicated to ending family violence and abuse through education, outreach, support services and shelter. Peace House is currently looking for volunteers 16 and older to assist in many different ways with an emphasis on childcare volunteers. There is a wide variety of options workable with individual schedules. For information, contact Kate Stone, volunteer coordinator, at volunteerspeacehouse@gmail.com or 435-658-4739, ext. 103. B-7 |