Steven M. Martinez 
Special Agent in Charge 

PRESS CONTACTS:
SSA David M. Staretz 702-366-7277
                                 702-366-7270 (Fax)

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 

Special Agent in Charge Steven M. Martinez provided the following statement on August 29, 2006:

I would like to announce the arrest of FBI Ten Most Wanted fugitive Warren Steed Jeffs:

Last evening, at approximately 9:04pm, a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper conducting a routine traffic stop on I-15 Northbound at mile marker 60 (approximately 6 miles north of Las Vegas) pulled over a 2007 Red Cadillac Escalade.

Upon the questioning of one of the occupants of the vehicle, it became apparent to the Trooper that this individual possessed a likeness to FBI Ten Most Wanted fugitive Warren Steed Jeffs, age 50, the leader of a polygamous sect known as the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints.

The trooper contacted FBI Las Vegas. Agents immediately responded to the scene, at which time, Warren Jeffs, who initially used an alias, acknowledged that he was indeed Warren Jeffs.

Warren Jeffs and two other occupants were transported to the Las Vegas FBI Office. Jeffs was fingerprinted and photographed at 5:07 am this morning. Jeffs was booked into Clark County Detention Center on 2 out of state warrants. Jeffs was wanted for the alleged sexual assault on a minor in 2002. He was also wanted for one count of conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor in 2002. The alleged offenses took place in the vicinity of Colorado City, Arizona. Additionally, Jeffs was wanted for rape as an accomplice in Utah.

The apprehension of Warren Jeffs is the 453rd arrest of an FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitive since the program's inception in March of 1950.

I would like to specifically thank the Department of Public Safety, Nevada Highway Patrol in their apprehension of this highly sought after fugitive.