Warren Jeffs had over $100 million net worth when he was convicted in 2011. But, the sources of this wealth are labor exploitation and illegal activities.
With the release of Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, a four-part real crime documentary on Netflix that depicts how members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) were manipulated by church authorities, Warren Jeffs, the church’s leader, become the trending news today.
Warren Jeffs Had Over $100 Million In Assets- What Is His Net Worth?
Warren Jeffs, the president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, accumulated $100 million net worth before he was convicted of child sexual abuse. He could earn money through real estate investment and in many illegal ways.
He built his wealthy empire by leveraging construction services. First, he would make men and boys who were his followers would often work and develop properties for little or no money. Then, because he had low or no labor costs, he used to underbid competitors for high-paying building projects.
He was the leader of FLDS and had complete control over his follower’s life. His words were taken strictly by his followers. He was also the only one who could execute marriages, writes Distractify.
Additionally, the FLDS had a few members who were able to start their enterprises from the bottom up, and they all reported to Jeffs. For example, one of the highest-earning FLDS companies, Western Precision, had constructed for the US Department of Defense.
As a result, he could bring in $100,000 in a single month. However, the members worked for low to no pay in these firms, comparable to Jeff’s construction company model.
Not only that but members were compelled to pay tithes to the church every month, ranging from $500 to $1000. Moreover, it was well known that they could lose their job, communities, and homes if anyone upset them.
Did Warren Jeffs Have Children? Update On Them In 2022
Warren Jeffs has at least 60 children, as per CNN. However, the count may not be exact because the right data is hard to come by.
He allegedly has 78 wives as per CNN, but Wikipedia mentions that the number is over 80. Among his children, only three had named themselves in public. They are Roy Jeffs, Rachel Jeffs, and Becky Jeffs.
It is saddening that Roy died by suicide in 2019. The three of them had appeared in public to talk about their father and his tyranny over their life. They said that they hardly spent time with their mothers because their father had separated them from their mom at a young age.
His wives also included a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl whom he referred to as spiritual brides during the trial. The images of Jeffs hugging and kissing the 12-year-old girl were presented in a 2011 court case alleging that he fathered a child with the 15-year-old.
Where Is The FLDS Church Leader Now?
The FLDS Church leader is currently in prison in the Louis C. Powledge Unit in Palestine, Texas. On August 9, 2011, he was found guilty of two charges of sexual abuse of a child. And he was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years, as mentioned in Women’s Health.
He will not be considered for parole until July 22, 2038, when he will be 82 years old. However, it is rumored that he still controls the church from prison and is allowed to keep in touch with approved contacts.