（kaiwind.com）On July 31, 2017 The Associated Press, Washington Post and Salt Lake Tribune jointly reported that the FBI had awarded two people a $50,000 reward for providing a key tip about polygamous sect leader Lyle Jeffs, whom had been a fugative for a year, to thank them for their contribution to the capture of the cult leader.
In February, 2016, Lyle Jeffs, the brother of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, was arrested by Federal Police on suspicion of food stamp fraud and money laundering. Warren Jeffs was previously charged with sexual assault against two minors and sentenced to life in prison. Lyle Jeffs was released on bail, but he had to wear an electronic monitor. The local court ordered him not to leave his residence in Salt Lake City or to meet with witnesses. However, Lyle Jeffs undid his electronic monitor and ran away from home soon after.
At the end of July，Jeffs was arrested in a lakeside area near the South Dakota-Nebraska border. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the FBI awarded two people a $50,000 reward for providing a key tip about polygamous sect leader Lyle Jeffs, whom had been a fugative for a year, to thank them for their contribution to the capture of the cult leader.
After the event, the FBI’s Salt Lake City Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dan Brady said the tipsters were observant and acted on instinct. So what clues did the tipsters spot? How did it come about? Let's have a look. In order to protect the privacy of the tipsters, the relevant names mentioned below are all aliases.
Clue Process
An employee of River City Treasures and Pawn spotted Jeffs pawning tools at a Yankton, S.D., business. The employee spotted Jeffs a second time and became suspicious, partly because Jeffs was wearing layers of clothing, a hat and sunglasses indoors. The tipster thought to note the partial license plate of the vehicle Jeffs was driving. After confirming that it was Lyle Jeffs, the employee called the hotline. That information was given to law enforcement and triggered an extensive search in the area. The next day, Yankton Police Lt. Todd Brandt, while off duty, spotted the vehicle, a silver, late-model Ford F-150, at the Lewis and Clark Marina in Yankton. Officers conducted a traffic stop and the driver admitted to being Lyle Jeffs.
“This case highlights the importance of reporting anything suspicious, no matter how insignificant it may seem”said FBI Salt Lake City Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dan Brady. “In this case, the tipsters were observant and acted on instinct. There is no doubt their involvement led to Jeffs` quick arrest.”
A 10-day trial for Jeffs has been set to begin on Sept. 18 before U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart.
