Seth Jeffs
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Seth Steed Jeffs | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Seth Steed |
| Known for | Being a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints official |
| Parent(s) | Rulon Jeffs and Marilyn Steed |
| Relatives | Warren Jeffs, Nephi Jeffs, Lyle Jeffs, Brent W. Jeffs, Helaman Jeffs |
Seth Jeffs is an American high-ranking official in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is known for harboring his brother Warren Jeffs during the federal manhunt to arrest him.
Seth Steed Jeffs was born to FLDS Prophet Rulon Jeffs and Marilyn Steed, one of his many wives. This made him the full brother of Warren, Nephi, and Lyle Jeffs, as all three shared the same father and mother.[1] The Jeffs family is considered "polygamist royalty" and FLDS members consider their members to be of "royal blood."[2] After Rulon's death in 2002, Warren took over being prophet and president of the FLDS church.[3] This made Seth the brother of the current prophet and son of the former prophet, solidifying his place in the powerful Jeffs family.
Of his relationship with Warren, Seth is said to be "very close" to his brother and described by veteran investigator Gary Engels as "a very intelligent man, very guarded".[4]
Seth is the uncle of Brent W. Jeffs, who mentions Seth in his memoir Lost Boy.[5]
2005 arrest
On October 28, 2005, Pueblo County police deputies were called about a possible drunk driver near the city of Pueblo, Colorado, around 3 am. After pulling the driver over, police found Nathaniel Steed Allred driving the SUV and Seth laying in the back on a mattress. Once authorities realized who Seth was, they obtained a search warrant to search the SUV. In the car officials found US$140,000 in cash, numerous letters addressed to Warren, cell phones, and $7,000 in prepaid debit cards.[6]
After both Allred and Seth were arrested, Allred told the authorities that his cousin Seth had paid him $5,000 for "sexual services" and that he was only a driver for the evening.
Seth was put on $25,000 bail and went before U.S. magistrate judge O. Edward Schlatter to hear the charge that he did "knowingly harbor and conceal Warren Steed Jeffs". Warren was on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted List and evading capture at the time. Seth was accompanied to the hearing by his brother Lyle and entered his plea through his lawyer.[7] During the trial in July 2006, U.S. District Judge Robert E. Blackburn accepted Seth's guilty plea of harboring a fugitive. Seth refused to give up Warren's location and instead took the federal charge.[8]
Seth was sentenced to three years' probation and a $2,500 fine. In his court statement, Seth stated "I knew what I did was wrong as I was doing it, but I didn't realize the severity of what I was doing. I did all I can to remove myself from this situation ... I never want to find myself in that situation again."[8]
YFZ Ranch raid
Seth attended many of the child custody hearings resulting from the April 2008 YFZ Ranch raid at the Tom Green County Courthouse.[9] During the custody trials, Seth was represented by attorney Carl Kolb. One of Jeffs's wives was represented by Nancy DeLong.[10]
To confirm paternity of the children, since many FLDS members would not cooperate and authorities were often given fake names, the court ordered parents, including Seth, to provide blood samples.[11]
At the time of the raid, Seth had eighteen children. Among Seth's many children to be seized were three boys that he was allowed to take home on June 3, 2008. Of the experience, Seth stated his sons were treated well and that "They're glad to be going home."[12] No children were permanently removed from Jeffs.
Minnesota Land Purchase
In early 2019, it was reported that Jeffs had purchased 40 acres of land, to the east of Grand Marais, Minnesota. As of June 2020, construction on the site have halted due to wetlands compliance laws.[13][14][15]