SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) - A fourth member of a polygamist group
whose West Texas ranch was raided in 2008 has been sentenced to 75
years in prison.
Merril Leroy Jessop was sentenced Friday by a San Angelo jury
after being convicted earlier this week of sexual assault of a
child. The victim was a 15-year-old girl who prosecutors say was
Jessop's underage bride.
The 35-year-old Jessop was the fourth member of the
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be
tried for sexual assault of a child since Texas authorities raided
the group's ranch near Eldorado two years ago.
The Texas Attorney General's Office says eight more suspects
from the YFZ ranch are awaiting trial.