| Town worried ranch home to polygamists | |||||||||
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Written by: Colleen Locke, Producer Reported by: Jace Larson, Investigative Reporter and: Eric Kehe, Chief Photographer 9News - Denver | |||||||||
CRAWFORD - Residents in southeastern Delta County are concerned that a polygamous fundamentalist group, similar to the one recently raided by law enforcement in western Texas, might have moved into the area. Residents don't have any proof that anything illegal is happening on the 35-acre property, located west of 3350 Road and south of B50 Road, but wonder why a privacy fence that's at least 6 feet tall has been put up even though nothing else is around. The fence also blocks the view of the mountains. "Look at that and tell me you wouldn't like to look at that," said neighbor Mike Hart. "It's an absolutely beautiful view. ... There are very few people who are out here. Why do you need to conceal your activities to that extent?" 9Wants To Know observed people walking outside buildings near that fence Sunday afternoon. One of those buildings is under construction. Gates into the compound are chained and locked. No trespassing signs are up as well. One neighbor tells 9Wants to Know he has seen a large passenger van drive by. The windows were either blacked out or heavily tinted. 9Wants to Know has confirmed the owner of the property shares the same last name with known members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), including Dale Barlow, the man wanted in connection with last week's raid in Texas. "If they are following the same practices as other groups throughout the country, there are children and women in there who are being abused, mentally, physically, who knows at this time, and that really, really bothers me," said Hart. Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee told 9Wants to Know his office was not investigating anything on the property or anyone living there. "We have no information or complaints to advise us of any criminal activity at that residence whatsoever," he said. McKee says he plans to try to talk to the group of people living on the site either Monday or Tuesday, but stresses that he will simply be making contact. | |||||||||
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9news.com Originally broadcast Sunday, April 13, 2008 | |||||||||
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