× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

Seth Jeffs, head of a polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints compound in Pringle, was arrested at the compound in Custer County today, according to a federal Justice Department official.

The arrest comes as federal prosecutors are indicting top leaders and members of Warren Jeffs' polygamous sect on accusations of food stamp fraud and money laundering.

Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman with the Department of Justice in Utah, confirmed to the Rapid City Journal this afternoon that Seth Jeffs was arrested.

Seth Jeffs, brother of Warren Jeffs, leads a branch of the FLDS at the compound near Pringle in Custer County.

Custer County Sheriff Wheeler assisted in arrest of Seth Jeffs, who appears to be the only South Dakota resident charged.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release Tuesday that the leaders of the Utah sect diverted funds from Utah's nutrition assistance program for inappropriate use.

Eleven people are charged in the scheme, including Lyle Jeffs and Seth Jeffs, who are brothers of imprisoned polygamous leader Warren Jeffs.

Lyle Jeffs runs day-to-day operations in the polygamous community of Hildale, Utah, on the Arizona border. Hundreds of law enforcement agents have been raiding businesses in the town Tuesday.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0