Suspected Polygamist Compound Found in South Dakota

March 10, 2006 — -- A discovery in the Black Hills of South Dakota may be the break authorities have been looking for in their pursuit of a federal fugitive.

This week a private detective found a previously unknown polygamist compound run by the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints whose leader, Warren Jeffs, is wanted in Arizona on charges that he arranged the marriage of a 16-year-old girl to an older man who was already married. Jeffs, 51, is also wanted on a federal charge of flight to avoid prosection.

"Well, he's very secretive," said Randy Mankin of the Eldorado Success, a Texas, newspaper. "We don't know for sure where he is. We know the FBI would certainly like to talk to him."

Jeffs is considered a prophet by his followers, many of who live in the twin towns of Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah. The church also has followers in British Columbia, Colorado and Nevada..

"Warren Jeffs does have approximately 10,000 very dedicated followers, and because of that he doesn't have to surface out of wherever he is hiding," said Jan Monroe, an FBI special agent based in Phoenix.

Documents filed in Custer County, S.D., show that the 100-acre property in the Black Hills was purchased three years ago for $135,000 by David Allred, the president of Details Unlimited, which is based in Washington County, Utah. Allred also fronted the purchase of the fundamentalist sect's 2,000-acre YFZ Ranch, near Eldorado, Texas, according to The Associated Press.

It is estimated that about 60 people live in the South Dakota complex.

Private investigator Sam Brower told The Associated Press that when he saw the enclave, he believed right away it was tied to Jeffs.

"I wasn't there 30 seconds, and I was pretty sure what it was," Brower said.

He told the AP there were two dormitory-style buildings, several smaller buildings and a large warehouse, all surrounded by a new fence.

Authorities insist the pursuit of Jeffs is not an attack on religion.