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Polygamist leader in court on food stamp fraud

Posted at 4:28 AM, Mar 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-07 13:59:45-05

Prosecutors are expected to ask a federal judge in Utah Monday to keep polygamist leader Lyle Jeffs behind bars as he awaits trial on allegations of food stamp fraud.

Authorities argue that if allowed out on bail, Lyle Jeffs would hide in the group's elaborate network of houses, using aliases, disguises and false identification.

He is one of one of 11 people from a polygamous sect on the Utah-Arizona border indicted on fraud and money laundering charges.

Investigators say Lyle Jeffs runs the day-to-day operations for the group with his brother Warren Jeffs serving a life prison sentence.

Lyle Jeffs has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors have allowed other suspects out while the case plays out, but are fighting to keep Lyle Jeffs and three other top-tier leaders behind bars.