Utah judge authorizes sale of 400 acres of polygamous sect’s land in bidding process

Utah judge orders sale of polygamous sect’s land

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah judge has ordered the sale of a 400-acre parcel of land that is part of a trust established by followers of jailed polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs.

In a ruling issued Monday, 3rd District Court Judge Denise Lindberg says a liquidity crisis of the United Effort Plan Trust makes the sale of Berry Knoll necessary.

Her order calls for the northern Arizona property to be sold to the highest bidder.

Worth an estimated $114 million, the UEP holds most of the land and homes in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. The twin border towns are home to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The trust was seized by the Utah courts in 2005 after allegations of mismanagement by Jeffs.