DNA from sect leader collected in Arizona

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Arizona authorities collected DNA from polygamous leader Warren Jeffs on Thursday to assist a Texas investigation into allegations of sex crimes involving Jeffs and underage girls who were later removed from the sect's ranch in west Texas.

A search warrant filed in Mohave County Superior Court in Kingman states that records seized at the ranch show Jeffs, 51, was in recent years "married" to two 12-year-old girls and two 14-year-old girls.

Jeffs is accused in the court documents of sexually assaulting one of the 12-year-olds after they were spiritually united in July 2006. He also is alleged to have married in January 2004 a 14-year-old who gave birth in October 2005.

Texas authorities are investigating whether Jeffs committed the crimes of sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual assault and prohibited sexual assault, according to the court records.

He is being held in the Mohave County jail in downtown Kingman as he awaits trial on separate allegations that he assigned underage girls to spiritual unions with their male adult relatives.

At a custody hearing last week for children removed from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints compound in Texas, officials introduced into evidence photographs of Jeffs embracing a 12-year-old girl. The photos were dated July 2006.

Authorities removed more than 460 children during their April raid on the compound. They alleged that girls were being married to older men and that the sect was seeking to perpetuate that practice.

In addition to the Texas ranch, FLDS members live in the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz.

A search warrant authorized collection of the DNA from Jeffs.

Mohave County Sheriff Tom Sheahan confirmed that Kingman police detectives obtained the sample early Thursday afternoon. Kingman police Sgt. Rusty Cooper said Detective Dennis Gilbert used a swab to collect the sample from Jeffs' mouth.

Officials with the Texas Attorney General's office left Kingman on Thursday with the sample, Cooper said.

Kingman police prepared the search warrant and affidavit of probable cause after Texas authorities requested assistance with their investigation of Jeffs, Cooper said.

Jeffs was convicted and sentenced to prison in Utah last year for uniting an underage teenager with her male adult cousin. Utah authorities then handed Jeffs over to Arizona officials for prosecution on similar charges.