This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Press Finally Gets to the Point with Polygamy Story
Well, it was only a matter of time. Authorities who raided the polygamist compound in Texas are now releasing the salacious details of which full-grown man had sex with which underage girl, and it is being lecherously reported - pretty soon we should have the exact hows, whens, how oftens, and in what positions. Of course, this is all being released out of the public’s genuine concern over those poor, naïve, oversexed, underaged, supple young girls…um…right?
The 16-year-old girl whose phone calls led to a raid on a polygamist compound in Texas identified Dale Evans Barlow as the man who she said beat, choked and sexually assaulted her after their "spiritual marriage," according to a court document unsealed Wednesday. The affidavit, signed by Texas Ranger Leslie Brooks Long, also says a former member of the polygamist church told authorities details of the sect's activities -- including a bed inside the group's temple that adult men used to have sex with underage girls immediately after wedding ceremonies.
After authorities raided the ranch late Thursday, the ranger "observed the bed within the temple that had disturbed bed linens and a strand of hair that appears to be from a female head." - cnn.com
Thank goodness they released these vital bits of information! Surely we are now closer to knowing, thanks to this top notch police work, why this particular group of religious fundamentalists believes that it's OK to brainwash, abduct and assault members of their own community, and why the government has done nothing about it.
I am just a little sick of hearing a few too many details about exactly how and in what way young girls are assaulted. With any news story involving a female crime victim - and a female of ANY age, as young as toddlers and as old as grandmas - it's just a matter of a few paragraphs, if that, until they mention the way in which she was sexually abused. Sometimes they simply say, "She does not appear to have been sexually abused," as if that was the point of the whole story. Sorry fellas, no erotica in this news clip. Maybe next time.
Sponsored message
Although, let's be real - this juicy narrative is what the whole polygamy compound raid story was leading up to from the get-go. It was just a little slow tease to get here. Fucked-up religious cult on it's own would have been a pretty good story too, but I mean come on - harems of young women getting knocked up by the same man? Horrifying!! Tell me everything...
AP Photo by Tony Gutierrez.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
