Polygamist leader Lyle Jeffs has been captured in South Dakota after a year as a wanted fugitive.
A former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), Lyle Jeffs was indicted on food stamp fraud in February of 2016.
He and 10 other members of his group are accused of converting millions of dollars from the federal assistance program into cash.
“It’s a serious offense to flee justice," said John Huber, U.S. Attorney for Utah, during a press conference at the FBI field office in Salt Lake City Thursday morning.
"There is likely at least another felony charge that will become because of the conduct over the last year, him fleeing prosecution," Huber said.
Huber was joined by FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Barnhart who says Jeffs was captured in South Dakota after local authorities received a tip. Someone recognized Jeffs and followed him to his vehicle.
Jeffs was driving a Ford F-150 with Utah plates which he had been living out of. Barnhart says he appeared to have limited resources and was found 400 miles east of the nearest FLDS compound.
Lyle Jeffs is the brother of Warren Jeffs, the former president of the FLDS church and convicted felon currently serving a life sentence.
