Polygamist sect members surrender

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Members of a West Texas polygamist group surrendered to authorities after being indicted in connection with underage marriages, officials said.

Among the three were Frederick Jessop, believed to be the most senior leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints outside Eldorado, Texas. He was charged with one felony count of conducting an unlawful marriage ceremony, the San Antonio Express-News reported Tuesday.

Wendell Loy Nielson, 68, who court records indicate was married to 21 women at the same time, was charged with three felony bigamy charges. Leroy Johnson Steed, 42, was charged with sexual assault of a child, bigamy and tampering with evidence.

The indictments against Jessop, Nielson and Steed were returned Nov. 12. The men were booked Monday, then released after posting bond.

Willie Jessop, a spokesman for the group, called the state's case baseless.

The county grand jury also issued a new indictment -- a felony charge of sexually assaulting a child -- on Warren S. Jeffs, president of the FLDS currently jailed in Arizona. The panel previously indicted him on another charge of sexually assaulting a child and for first-degree bigamy, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Twelve people from the Eldorado ranch have been charged in the alleged underage unions, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said.

In April, Texas Child Protective Services removed more than 400 children at the ranch, alleging the girls were being sexually abused or at risk of being sexually abused and the boys were being prepared to continue the practice of underage marriage.