Sheriffs eye West Slope land tied to polygamists
 
By Electa Draper
The Denver Post
 
Two Colorado sheriffs are watching acreage near Crawford and Mancos owned by people associated with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the polygamous sect targeted by Texas authorities.

A child-welfare raid that began April 3 at a 1,700-acre church compound in Eldorado, Texas, led to the removal of 416 children, the state's largest-ever child-custody case.

Officials there are investigating allegations of forced underage marriage, sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Polygamy is illegal under federal law.

Sheriffs for both Delta and Montezuma counties say they haven't seen any evidence of communal living, plural marriages or any unlawful acts at the Colorado compounds.

Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee said Monday that he planned to tour the 35-acre property, which was purchased near Crawford in August 2007.

"It's at the invitation of the owner and not part of any investigation. We have no cause to investigate," McKee said. "I don't know how many people are staying there, but it seems to be fewer than 10."

The Delta County Assessor's Office said the land, at 1253 3350 Road near Crawford, belongs to Neph Barlow of Henderson, Nev. At least one building is under construction on the property. The property is surrounded by a tall privacy fence.

Dale Barlow, 50, is being investigated in Texas on allegations of sexual abuse against a 16-year-old who claimed she was his spiritual wife.

Montezuma County Sheriff Gerald Wallace said that a flight Monday over 100 acres owned by sect members northwest of Mancos yielded no sign of polygamous or communal living.

"We didn't see anybody at all," Wallace said after the surveillance. "We just wanted to make sure there was no obvious sign of illegal activity. (The compound) is not visible from the ground."

The land, secluded and forested, was purchased as two parcels in 2003 and 2004 by David Allred, son-in-law of one-time FLDS leader Warren Jeffs.

Jeffs has been in prison since last year for his role in coercing a 14-year-old church member to marry her 19-year-old cousin. Allred also was a purchaser of the Eldorado property.

The Mancos acreage holds about five homes or buildings, including one large two- or three-story structure, Wallace said.

There have been reports of up to a dozen men there at a time, usually engaged in construction and fence-building.

"No one has seen women or children that we know of," Wallace said. "We just plan to keep an eye on it."

Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
 
DenverPost.com
Originally published April 15, 2008
 
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