Texas judge guarded against polygamists

SAN ANGELO, Texas, June 11 (UPI) -- A Texas judge who ordered the removal of children from a Mormon polygamist sect ranch has her home under police guard.

The heightened security was ordered after Utah and Arizona authorities warned to be on the lookout for Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints "enforcers," the Deseret News of Salt Lake City, Utah, reported Wednesday. Officers guarding Judge Barbara Walther's San Angelo house were provided dossiers and photos of 16 FLDS men and women but also cautioned to be wary of others

"There are many individuals who are willing to give up their life for the cause and you can never underestimate what a religious fanatic is capable of," said e-mails obtained through Texas' public records law.

Walther placed more than 460 FLDS children in state custody after reports of child abuse that are still under investigation. Most of the children have since been returned to their parents. But the judge's photo, home address and phone numbers were posted on a Web site which suggested opponents "pay Ms. Walther's home a visit."