Jailed polygamist renounces prophet role

ST. GEORGE, Utah, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The imprisoned leader of a polygamous sect in Utah renounced his prophet role because of immoral acts he committed during his youth, a court document said.

In a court document released this week, polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs said he was a "wicked man" in the eyes of the Lord due to various youthful indiscretions and therefore was renouncing his role as prophet, The Salt Lake Tribune said Wednesday.

The Purgatory Correctional Facility inmate was convicted Sept. 25 on two felony rape charges for acts that occurred during his time as the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

His renouncement of his role of prophet came in January and Jeffs quickly recanted the related statements in February, the court document showed.

Nonetheless, private investigator Sam Brower told the Tribune he would try to learn more about Jeffs' confession as a matter of public interest.

"It sounds like there are a lot more things to check," Brower said. "But from a moral standpoint, there is whole segment of population in Washington County that needs to hear this information and protect themselves and their families from a convicted felon."