Polygamist chronology

1946 — Winston Blackmore’s uncle, Harold Blackmore, buys property outside Creston, B. C. and establishes what will become Bountiful. 1961 — Winston Blackmore’s father, Ray, takes control of Bountiful . 1984 — After Ray Blackmore’s death, Winston Blackmore becomes bishop for Canada and in 1986 is appointed as a trustee to the United Eff ort Plan trust. October 1991 — RCMP recommend charges be laid against Winston Blackmore and Dalmon Oler. June 1992 — The B. C. Attorney General’s ministry rejects the RCMP’s charge recommendation, citing undisclosed legal opinions that suggest the polygamy section of the Canada’s Criminal Code is unconstitutional. 2002 — Winston Blackmore is excommunicated by Warren Jeff s, prophet of the FLDS. April 2005 — At a polygamy summit in Creston , Winston Blackmore admits that he had married “several underage girls” and says one of his sons had married a 14- year- old. Aug. 25, 2006 — FLDS prophet Warren Jeff s is arrested . Aug. 1, 2007 — Special Prosecutor Richard Peck recommends that rather than laying charges against Blackmore and others, the province should determine the constitutionality of the law. Attorney General Wally Oppal disagrees and asks another special prosecutor, Leonard Doust, to review the evidence . Sept. 25, 2007 — Warren Jeff s is convicted on two counts as an accomplice to rape of a 14- year- old. Jan. 7, 2009 — Winston Blackmore and James Oler are arrested, charged and released with conditions after pleading not guilty to one count each of polygamy. September 2009 — B. C. Supreme Court rules that Oppal erred in appointing another special prosecutor. Charges against Blackmore and Oler are dropped. British Columbia launches a case to determine validity of the polygamy law. November 2011 — Chief Justice Robert Bauman upholds the criminal sanction against polygamy. Jan. 17, 2012 — Peter Wilson is appointed as special prosecutor and asked to review new evidence regarding Bountiful men who transported 31 underage girls across the border to become brides. Jan. 16, 2014 — The Criminal Justice Branch of the Attorney General’s Ministry issues a press release say ing that Wilson’s mandate now includes consideration of “potential off ences contrary to the polygamy provisions of the Criminal Code.”