The Creepy "Family" Photos That Helped Sink Polygamist Sect Leader Warren Jeffs

After deliberating only a few hours, a Texas jury today convicted polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs of sexually assaulting two young girls he had taken as “spiritual wives.”

Prosecutors introduced DNA evidence showing that Jeffs, 55, fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl. He was also accused of assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The children lived in a West Texas compound along with other members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which Jeffs headed.

As seen above (click to enlarge), an April 2008 law enforcement raid at the remote FLDS ranch yielded troubling photos of Jeffs with the two minors (both of whom he is seen kissing on the lips). One set of photos--taken in January 2005--records Jeff’s “First Anniversary” with the older child. The younger girl is pictured with Jeffs in photos taken in July 2006.

Jeffs, who represented himself at trial, now faces up to life in prison on the two child sex abuse charges.