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Michelle Roberts

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2011, file photo Texas Ranger Capt. Brooks Long, center in cowboy hat, listens as State prosecutor Eric Nichols, right, reads a statement in front of the courthouse in San Angelo, Texas, following the sentencing of polygamist religious leader Warren Jeffs. Jeffs begins serving a life sentence this week, brought down by damning evidence ultimately uncovered and revealed in court. Long, who steered the investigation through scrutiny and even the doubts of some lawmakers, said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, that he feels vindicated. (AP Photo/San Angelo Standard-Times, Patrick Dove, File)

Texas Ranger says FLDS raid vindicated by Jeffs conviction

Michelle Roberts, Paul J. Weber The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, August 12, 2011 - 9:13am

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Investigators made no mention of child sex tapes, or seized photos of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs kissing young girls, after their April 2008 raid on the sect’s remote Texas compound. Instead, the public saw the televised spectacle of more than 400 children being bused from the ranch over an abuse hotline call that proved to be bogus.

As Jeffs begins serving a life sentence, brought down by damning evidence seized at the ranch and finally revealed in court, the Texas Ranger who led the heavily scrutinized raid and investigation said he feels vindicated.

Courts, Polygamy, Texas Rangers, Warren Jeffs, FLDS Church, National Read more Comments

(The Associated Press) Domitila Lara (left) helps her children Ariana (center) and Eduardo (right) with their homework in San Diego last month. Lara, 44, applied for food stamps in San Diego in late 2008 after her husband lost his job in construction. For more than three months, Lara called and waited in line repeatedly for food stamps. Paperwork was lost. She got conflicting instructions on how to fill out forms. The family used her husband's unemployment checks to cover the mortgage on their house but worried about how to feed their younger children. More than 50 percent of food stamp applications were delayed in San Diego County in fiscal year 2009.

Millions forced to wait for food stamps benefits

Justin Juozapavicius, Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - 8:10pm

SAN ANTONIO -- When Amanda Vaca's husband lost his job, the couple took stock of their finances and drew a startling conclusion: They could not afford to feed their four young children.

Economy, Unemployment, Food, National Read more Comments

(The Associated Press) A bus accident on southbound Interstate 37 near Campbellton, Texas on Tuesday. The bus was headed for Mexico.

Mexico-bound bus overturns in Texas, killing 2

Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 7:06pm

SLIDESHOW: See pictures of the crash

CAMPBELLTON, Texas — A crowded bus carrying young families and spring breakers toward Mexico went careening off a Texas highway and flipped onto its side Tuesday, killing two people and forcing dozens of bloodied passengers to climb to safety through broken windows and an emergency exit.

Accident, International, National Read more Comments

(HARRY CABLUCK/The Associated Press) Raymond Jessop (left) the first man to face criminal charges following the raid of a polygamist sect's West Texas ranch in April, 2008, is seen outside the courtroom during a recess in his trial in Eldorado, Texas on Thursday. He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault of a child, a charge stemming from his alleged marriage to an underage girl. His father, Merril Jessop, is in the background.

Texas polygamist sect member guilty of sex assault

Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, November 5, 2009 - 6:09pm

ELDORADO, Texasâ€” Jurors in the first criminal trial following the raid of a polygamist groupâ€™s Texas ranch have convicted a member of sexual assault of a child.

Crime, Polygamy, Religion, Featured, FLDS Church, National Read more Comments

Judge orders redaction of polygamist documents

Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - 3:42pm

ELDORADO, Texas -- A Texas judge ordered Tuesday that a document showing a member of a polygamist sect had at least four wives who were pregnant or nursing at the same time should be excluded from his trial on charges of child sexual abuse.

Crime, Polygamy, National Read more Comments

Trial in polygamist sect raid halted

Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, October 30, 2009 - 1:16pm

ELDORADO, Texas -- The first criminal trial stemming from the raid of a polygamist group's West Texas ranch last year has come to an abrupt halt.

Crime, Polygamy, Featured Read more Comments

Testimony starts in polygamist trial

Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 12:20pm

ELDORADO, Texas -- A law officer who took part in the 2008 raid of a West Texas polygamist group's ranch was the first to testify in a member's criminal trial.

Crime, Polygamy, National Read more Comments

(HARRY CABLUCK/The Associated Press) Raymond Jessop (center), the first man to face criminal charges following the raid of a polygamist sect's West Texas ranch, prepares to go through security as he returns to the courtroom during a recess in the second day of jury selection of his trial in Eldorado, Texas on Tuesday. Texas Department of Public Safety officers are unidentified.

Jury seated in Texas polygamist raid trial

Michelle Roberts The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 1:34pm

ELDORADO, Texas -- Eight men and four women were selected Wednesday for the jury that will decide the first criminal case stemming from the raid of a polygamist group's ranch in West Texas last year.

Crime, Polygamy, Featured, National Read more Comments