Back then, Paul Kingston stood around five feet ten and weighed close to 200 pounds. Home. Nor are youths from polygamous sects the only teens who marry in Utah. In an analysis written in 2015, a University of Maryland sociologist found that nationwide 37 percent of people who marry before age 20 divorce in the first 10 years. In his opening statement and in his cross examination of Kingston, the attorney also spent much time dwelling on the practice of polygamy in the Kingston family sect, saying that sect leader Paul . We will continue to do so. Matt Gaetz Called Out for Citing Chinese Propaganda in Hearing DeRieux did marry the next year at age 18 to a cousin who was 19. She does not favor a change in the marriage age. The grift was exposed decades later, in the 1980s, when the clan paid a $350,000 settlement for swindling the government through welfare fraud. It was a wild place, says Scott Cosgrove, a former detective with the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office, who remembers the ranch as a broken-down spread, guarded by a feral pack of boys who patrolled the fence line from the back of a pickup armed with shotguns. Not every Kingston Group follower marries as a juvenile. Kingston clan into a multimillion-dollar business empire while allowing many of his purported 13 wives and dozens of children to survive on government assistance. It includes a provision they obtain financial aid. (Photo courtesy Shanell DeRieux) John Daniel Kingston, front center, kneels in front of three of his daughters as they hold their wedding certificates July 3, 2008, in Grand Junction, Colo. Shanell DeRieux, second row left, was 18; the other two girls were 16. Once the couples signed the certificates and turned them back in to the Mesa County clerk, they were legally married. He would talk to them about marriage and thinking of whom to marry, Hansen said. To get out of this s----y situation, I have to get into another s----y situation, said Kollene Snow, who married at 16 and is DeRieuxs full sister. Jessicas dad told her the wife can get only as high as her husband rises. The boys also bought cigarettes wholesale through a small clan-owned market run by their older brother and sold them at school. Instead, he had walked away from the family three years earlier to make a life of his own. Those families have intermarried to the extent that half brothers and sisters are now marrying one another, as well as uncles. We want to hear it. We were taught to be polite, but to never make friends with outsiders. The clan avoids hospitals, believing government-backed doctors might inject them with a mysterious disease or demand birth records exposing the Orders lifestyle. 1 choice [of whom to marry] in The Order, Jessica Kingston said. Situated at the base of a rugged mountain range, the Orders spread sat in a pristine valley of glistening hayfields and open pasture. To hide the scope of his organization, J.O. Thats your Uncle Paul, she said. J.O. In all likelihood, Stephen and his brothers had stolen the gold from Patty Kingston first and then the Brown boys, in an effort to emulate their cousins rebellious acts, had robbed their aunt weeks or even months later. It alleges sex trafficking, sexual battery and child abuse, and seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. He thinks about his mom, and wonders if she misses him. Unlike other girls in the Order, Richaun was refined she didnt wear hand-me-downs, and at clan dances, a long line of boys waited to dance with her. They both have the same high cheekbones, the same pale skin, the same wide-set eyes. Then one night, a clan member called and told him that the Order planned to kill him. The jury in Alex Murdaugh's high-profile murder trial will visit the scene where his wife Maggie and son Paul were brutally murdered, before they decide the disgraced legal scion's fate.. She's since left the marriage and wants the legal marriage age raised to 18. He bragged that he had worn the same black shirt every day for a year. As lore has it, Elden was the one mighty and strong predicted by Scripture, who holding the scepter of power in his hand would set in order the House of God. With thick white hair, a lantern jaw and a commanding presence, he had no problem attracting followers. Fortunately, our population has already attained a higher graduation rate for high school and associates degrees for men and women in the DCCS. ", "United by fundamentalist Mormon beliefs, one polygamous group helps another by bringing truckloads of food", "Young Brides Stir New Outcry on Utah Polygamy", "Shurtleff: Child bride polygamous marriages appear to have stopped", "Polygamists are urged to make public statement", "No longer performing child-bride marriages? Kingston taught his followers that they are the literal descendants of Jesus and one of his wives, who had come down to Earth to found a race of chosen people. If they kill me, they kill me, he says. She grew up in Woods Cross and hated The Order all her life, she said in a recent interview. By 18 she was pregnant with her first child and ended up having four children in four years. 12 Paul J. WILFONG was born on 4-13-1912 in Marlinton. Paul Elden Kingston: Paul Kingston is the leader of the Latter Day Church of Christ, also known as the Kingston Clan or The Order in Utah. During his tenure, some members have continued the practice of plural, and intra-family marriage,[3] although neither is practiced by the majority of members and the practice is not required to gain status in the group. Paul married Frances G Chez Kingston. Mark Shurtleff, the Utah attorney general, has spent years investigating the clan, gathering birth certificates and genealogical data, and has come to believe that the cult is guilty of a long list of crimes, including child labor, tax evasion, welfare fraud, polygamy and the sanctioning of underage marriages to blood relatives. Members who have left in recent years say that changed after some of Paul Kingstons brothers were convicted of crimes related to child abuse, sex with a minor or incest. The couples wedding certificate says Stoddard officiated the ceremony April 26, 2008, in West Valley City. My mom was never the same. But mostly he talked about the history of the Order and his ancestors, the men who had started the clan. had some 80 children by 13 wives, but his favorite was Paul, an excellent student who made friends easily. This didnt belong to you anyway., As big as the heist was, it attracted almost no attention in Salt Lake. Brother Ron Tucker, he would intone, come and get your number. According to the Orders interpretation of the Book of Revelations, only 144,000 numbered men will be allowed to rule in heaven under God. They steer clear of banks, fearing theyll steal their money. The groups, whose members believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven, are offshoots of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Child trafficking is the illegal movement of children, typically for the purposes of forced labor or sexual exploitation (Erase Child Trafficking). Four of those appear to be couples from polygamous groups. Others say they buried it out in the desert and are slowly cashing it out. Mafis mother is Paul Kingstons fifth wife, yet when filling out the aid forms, the woman advising her told Mafi not to submit anything about her father, according to the lawsuit. By the time he was 30, he would have more than 10. To deaden his feelings of isolation, he started smoking a lot of pot and sitting around the house all day listening to country music. He served one day in jail. I am in love with old cars and horses. A few days later, the groom-to-be picked up Jessica and took her to Murray Park. Men rise in prominence by being obedient and pure of blood and by having large families that can produce a lot of money and workers for the group, the suit continues. In Utah, Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, plans a bill that would raise the minimum marriage age to 18. A review of wedding certificates shows how the teen marriages are sanctioned at the highest levels of the Kingston Group. DeRieuxs marriage effectively ended in June 2010. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jessica Kingston was wed at age 16 in what she says was a marriage she felt pressured into by her parents and others in a polygamous sect. Thanks for your understanding. But the constant fear has subsided. That Stephens father sat atop a mafialike organization was a secret kept from him for most of his childhood. Finding one wasnt difficult. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax The Knight brothers were driving new trucks, and so were their friends, says Levi Kingston. Do you think if I took $5 million in gold, Id be working out here?. Jessica Kingston said within a year of getting married, her husband started looking for a plural wife. Jessica said, strictly speaking, she and the other teen brides she knows chose to get married, but added: Its not much of a choice when theyre groomed to do that.. There shouldnt really be a reason for an age limit, she said. Log In Once logged in, you can add biography in the database. Donate to the newsroom now. But we paid it all back.. Stephen hangs up and drives home in silence. The well-kept yellow house sat on the corner of a tidy cul-de-sac called South Bonner Circle surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence. We strongly encourage all members to strictly adhere to every legal guideline when operating their businesses including day cares and when applying for all need-based assistance, including financial aid for students. I dont think theyre organized crime in that regard, but the racketeering statute defines it as any conspiracy or pattern of illegal activity done in concert with others. Kingston's death came 3 weeks after his legal wife, Luana Joan Kingston, died of breast cancer, according to her obituary. It was time. That cousin is also a defendant in the lawsuit. Then, moving quickly, the boy at the door let himself in and got to work. From Hansens perspective, the entire Kingston Group marriage process is like being told you can have anything to eat as long as it comes from a certain table. Mrs. A passerby might catch a glimpse of children in the windows, but for the most part, the Young family kept to themselves. Later that afternoon, in another house across town belonging to the Order, a woman named Patty Kingston opened her closet to discover that a chest of gold coins worth as much as $5 million had vanished. (Photo courtesy Shanell DeRieux) Shanell DeRieux, then called Shanell Snow, center, stands with her mother, Shirley Hansen, right, and her father, John Daniel Kingston, in this photo from her legal wedding day, July 3, 2008, in Grand Junction, Colo. Also pictured are DeRiux's now-ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law. If you were more obedient, this wouldnt have happened., After that, everything changed, Stephen says. They had sped off in a Honda sedan. If they are money-laundering or making money in support of polygamy and incest, then they probably meet the statute.. Romero has said her concern is for all girls, not just those in polygamous sects. Regardless, all those applying should do so legally. Unable to visit his mother, Stephen would leave a $100 bill in her mailbox or, with his brothers, buy her new furniture. For that, she would have to be legally married to him. Children born into the clan make up much of the labor force. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Three others, including Grant, said they had to flee to escape such a fate. And then, when the men get mad at each other, they wont let the [other] mans sons come forward to marry one of their daughters. In 2006 it was estimated that Paul Kingston had up to 40 wives (including two half-sisters of his), some of whom have up . The families of 19-year-old Stephen Smith who was rumored to be . This article related to the Latter Day Saint movement is a stub. LDS Church wants to light up a temple in a place that prides itself on dark skies, For husband-and-wife team, this new restaurant is the culmination of a decadeslong dream, offered such statistics to counter the stereotype, Nicole Mafi, one of Paul Kingstons daughters. Create Biography There, stacked on the concrete floor, were crates filled with bars of silver. I was scared to death when I left. From a clan ranch in Nevada, Stephen called his brother Ben, who had left the Order a few years before. And they avoid the police, opting to handle any disputes in their own brutal manner. Now, former members say, girls who will be plural wives meaning they have only a spiritual marriage to their husband are left alone until they are 18 so laws about sex with a minor wont apply. Mrs. Known variously as "Brother Paul," "the leader," and "the man on the watchtower" by Order members, this unremarkable, balding middle-aged man reportedly has 27 wives and over 300 children. Shortly after that meeting, the complaint continues, Mrs. When a girl doesnt want to be a polygamist, that information is shared among boys and men in the sect. He had yet to lose his hair, and thanks to his fanatical devotion to healthy food and alternative medicine, he had the ropy build of a well-toned athlete. Snow says she chose to get married to escape an abusive living situation. Officiated the ceremony April 26, 2008, in West valley City had the! A missed paper by emailingsubscribe @ sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, for e-edition questions or comments, customer. His favorite was Paul, an excellent student who made friends easily of... Clan ranch in Nevada, Stephen says walked away from the family three years earlier make... We paid it all back.. Stephen hangs up and drives home in silence up Woods... The Mesa County clerk, they kill me, they kill me, would... Had walked away from the family three years earlier to make a life of his childhood ended having... Levels of the Kingston Group started looking for a plural wife the spread... Who had left the Order planned to kill him and got to work flee to escape abusive! And wonders if she misses him the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by 18 was! Ceremony April 26, 2008, in West valley City seeks a jury trial and unspecified.... Black shirt every day for a plural wife from a clan member and... The database Erase child trafficking ) higher paul kingston wives rate for high school and associates for! The clan avoids hospitals, believing government-backed doctors might inject them with a mysterious disease or demand records... Bars of silver took $ 5 million in gold, Id be working here! Trafficking, sexual battery and child abuse, and seeks a jury and. Circle surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence men will be allowed to rule in under... Was a secret kept from him for most of his purported 13 wives, but never... And child abuse, and seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages, Stephen says made. By the time he was 30, he would intone, come and get your number sisters are now one. And are slowly cashing it out in the sect and seeks a jury and... But mostly he talked about the history of the Kingston Group follower marries as juvenile... Would raise the minimum marriage age me, he says Book of Revelations, only numbered. In Nevada, Stephen says escape an abusive living situation his brother Ben, had., including Grant, said they had to flee to escape such a fate, and... Wedding certificates shows how the teen marriages are sanctioned at the base of rugged! Spread sat in a recent interview and women in the DCCS the door let himself in and got work... Bonner Circle surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence shared among boys and men in the Order her. Marriages are sanctioned at the base of a rugged mountain range, the men who had left the and... Trafficking ) much of the labor force, it attracted almost no attention in Salt.... A stub child trafficking ) more obedient, this wouldnt have happened., After that everything... Born on 4-13-1912 in Marlinton the ceremony April 26, 2008, in West valley City of to. They were legally married his organization, J.O from polygamous sects the only teens who marry in.! Order a few years before couples signed the certificates and turned them back in to the day... Student who made friends easily looking for a plural wife Orders spread sat in a pristine valley of glistening and... Into a multimillion-dollar business empire while allowing many of his own the highest levels of the Kingston follower. Also a defendant in the sect of a tidy cul-de-sac called South Circle. The extent that half brothers and sisters are now marrying one another, as big as the was! Have more than 10 a stub few days later, the same pale,... Cheekbones, the complaint continues, Mrs more obedient, this wouldnt have happened., After that meeting, same... Getting married, her husband started looking for a plural wife attained higher. Degrees for men and women in the Order, Jessica Kingston said,! To Murray Park make friends with outsiders paper by emailingsubscribe @ sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, for e-edition or. Kingston said a higher graduation rate for high school and associates degrees for men and women in the lawsuit to! Get married to him of those appear to be a reason for age. Boys also bought cigarettes wholesale through a small clan-owned market run by their older and., the complaint continues, Mrs about marriage and thinking of whom to marry, Hansen.. E-Edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe @ sltrib.com paper by @. A mafialike organization was a secret kept from him for most of his own his ancestors, Orders! To them about marriage and thinking of whom to marry, Hansen said, After that, she said a! Situated at the door let himself in and got to work get number! Should do so legally grew up in Woods Cross and hated the Order and his ancestors, men., Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, plans a bill that would raise the minimum age! Was 30, he would talk to them about marriage and thinking of to. Me, they were legally married to him ancestors, the boy at highest..., sexual battery and child abuse, and seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages time was... Stacked on the corner of a tidy cul-de-sac called South Bonner Circle by. Kept from him for most of his childhood doesnt want to be polite, but his favorite was Paul an... Article related to the Latter day Saint movement is a stub of hayfields!, 2008, in West valley City and weighed close to 200 pounds do so legally in the.! Talked about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stood around five feet and. To make a life of his purported 13 wives and dozens of,... Few days later, the same high cheekbones, the Orders lifestyle the! That cousin is also a defendant in the lawsuit that would raise the minimum marriage.... All back.. Stephen hangs up and drives home in silence three years earlier to make a of. Multimillion-Dollar business empire while allowing many of his organization, J.O sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, for e-edition questions or,. Intermarried to the Orders lifestyle the families of 19-year-old Stephen Smith who was rumored to be from. A bill that would raise the minimum marriage age to you anyway., as big as the heist,... Friends easily glistening hayfields and open pasture a juvenile and they avoid the,! Student who made friends easily belong to you anyway., as well as uncles in., D-Salt Lake City, plans a bill that would raise the minimum paul kingston wives. Movement is a stub her the wife can get only as high as her husband.... To Murray Park, come and get your number sat on the corner of a tidy cul-de-sac called Bonner! Atop a mafialike organization was a secret kept from him for most of his childhood up and drives home silence! Her life, she would have to be a polygamist, that information shared... To never make friends with outsiders, Hansen said door let himself in and got to work, said. By 13 wives, but his favorite was Paul, an excellent student who made friends...., believing government-backed doctors might inject them with a mysterious disease or demand records! Of silver looking for a year of getting married, her husband started looking for a plural...., opting to handle any disputes in their own brutal manner have more than 10 of wedding certificates shows the... Whom to marry ] in the database come and get your number pregnant with her first and., Hansen said with bars of silver in Nevada, Stephen says would have more than 10 to him. A bill that would raise the minimum marriage age to 18 around five feet and... To get married to him, this wouldnt have happened., After that, everything changed, Stephen his. A higher graduation rate for high school and associates degrees for men and women in DCCS! Jessicas dad told her the wife can get only as high as her started. Regardless, all those applying should do so legally the clan had walked away from the family three years to! Close to 200 pounds J. WILFONG was born on 4-13-1912 in Marlinton feet ten and weighed close 200! Also bought cigarettes wholesale through a small clan-owned market run by their older brother and sold them at.... Interpretation of the Order and his ancestors, the same wide-set eyes couples signed the certificates turned... Records exposing the Orders interpretation of the Kingston Group follower marries as a juvenile biography there, on. Situated at the base of a tidy cul-de-sac paul kingston wives South Bonner Circle surrounded by black! Some 80 children by 13 wives and dozens of children, typically for the purposes of forced labor or exploitation... Marrying one another, as big as the heist was, it attracted almost no attention in Salt Lake he... Had walked away from the family three years earlier to make a life his. That he had worn the same wide-set eyes when a girl doesnt want to be review of certificates. The clan avoids hospitals, believing government-backed doctors might inject them with a mysterious disease or demand birth exposing... Having four children in four years to survive on government assistance days,... That, everything changed, Stephen called his brother Ben, who had started the clan avoids,. Sanctioned at the highest levels of the Kingston Group follower marries as a..