Lyle Jeffs, polygamous sect leader, admits benefit fraud

SALT LAKE CITY — A high-ranking polygamous sect leader recaptured after a year on the run pleaded guilty Wednesday in a food-stamp fraud and escape case, ending a wide-ranging investigation seen as a crackdown on the secretive group.

Lyle Jeffs is facing three to five years in prison after pleading guilty to two felony counts in an agreement that also called for him to pay $1 million in restitution.

U.S. Attorney John Huber said it was a fair end to a hard-fought court battle. “We’re not out to punish people of faith, people with sincerely-held religious beliefs. We’re out to punish fraudsters. Lyle Jeffs is now a convicted fraudster,” he said.

Defense attorney Kathryn Nester declined to comment.

Jeffs will be sentenced Dec. 13 by U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart — the same judge who reversed an earlier ruling and released Jeffs from jail to home confinement in 2016 while he was awaiting trial in the fraud case.

Days later, Jeffs slipped off his ankle monitor and escaped. He was on the run for nearly a year. Jeffs was caught after South Dakota pawn shop workers recognized him as he sold two pairs of pliers. He was apparently living out of his pickup truck.

Jeffs was one of 11 members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints charged with helping funnel millions in food-stamp benefits to a communal storehouse and front companies. The funds were used to pay for a tractor, truck and other items. Jeffs was accused of orchestrating the scheme.