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Another FLDS Conviction: 6 Years In Prison

By Howard M. Friedman

A state court jury in San Angelo, Texas has sentenced 25-year old Kieth Dutson, a member of the FLDS church, to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine on on charges of sexual assault of a child.  Dutson was the seventh, and youngest, person to be tried on charges growing out of evidence seized during a 2008 raid on the FLDS Yearning for Zion Ranch. (See prior posting.) Yesterday's San Angelo (TX) Standard Times reports that Dutson, when he was 20, went through a wedding ceremony with the victim who was 15 years old. Prosecutor Eric Nichols said the trial demonstrated how the FLDS culturally conditioned girls to be married while they are still underage.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on November 10, 2010 (boomark / email).