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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Polygamist Sect Member Guilty of Sex Assault

Texas court convicts FLDS man married to underage girl

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(AP) – Jurors in the first criminal trial following the raid of a polygamist group's Texas ranch today convicted a member of sexual assault of a child. Raymond Jessop, 38, was found guilty of the charge that stemmed from his alleged marriage to an underage girl. He's the first group member to face a criminal trial since authorities raided the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' ranch in Eldorado last year.

Prosecutors say the girl was brought to the Yearning For Zion Ranch at age 15 and entered a so-called "spiritual" marriage with Jessop. She became pregnant at 16. Defense attorneys argued prosecutors failed to produce a witness that placed Jessop in Schleicher County at the time of the alleged assault.

Raymond Jessop, the first man to face criminal charges following the raid of a polygamist sect's West Texas ranch in 2008, is seen outside the courtroom today.
Raymond Jessop, the first man to face criminal charges following the raid of a polygamist sect's West Texas ranch in 2008, is seen outside the courtroom today.   (AP Photo)
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18 comments
VIEWING:
 
rajanKazhmin
Nov 5, 09 7:20 PM CST
Typical. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Nov 6, 09 8:58 AM CST
The Mormon cult is seriously sick - and THESE GUYS are the real Mormons, don't let them fool you that "those guys" aren't them.
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0
Mad
Nov 5, 09 8:40 PM CST
Man, these religious nut jobs could get away with all their ridiculous whackery if they'd just leave the young girls alone. Multiple marriages, drink blood, howl at the moon, whatever you want: Just stop the baby raping! Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
riffran
Nov 6, 09 12:12 AM CST
exactly..makes good sense
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0
IN RESPONSE:
MoodyMommy
Nov 6, 09 5:34 PM CST
O.K. the child was pregnant with his child but he wasn't in the area. What is that divine interception. The things man does in the name of God. I wish I had a front row seat when this one sees judgment.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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polygamy • sexual assault • Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints • Yearning for Zion ranch • polygamists • underage marriage • Raymond Jessop

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