Will a polygamist colony establish themselves here in Minnesota?
According to KARE 11, the leader of a notorious religious group that practices polygamy and child marriages just bought land in Minnesota, raising eyebrows and questions about whether the controversial colony will establish themselves here in our state.
Records show that a company managed by Seth S. Jeffs just purchased 40 acres near the Superior National Forest, west of Grand Marais.
Seth Jeffs and other leaders of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were involved in a civil lawsuit in Utah. They're accused of participating in "religious sexual rituals with underage girls" involving Seth's brother, Warren Jeffs, which the group considers their Prophet.
In 2011, Warren Jeffs was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of sexual assault involving girls ages 12 and 15 that he took as wives.
Attorney Alan Mortensen raises the concern to KARE 11 that this past behavior is very telling of what may happen in the future, and believes Seth Jeffs might have moved to Minnesota to avoid a lawsuit saying that he allowed and witnessed the ritualistic rape of an 8-year-old girl.