Polygamist Sentenced to 10 Years

ELDORADO, Texas (AP) _ A man from a polygamist group in West Texas has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual assault of a child.

Raymond Jessop was sentenced Tuesday by the same jury that convicted him last week. Hewas the first member of a polygamist group to go on trial since authorities raided their ranch in Eldorado last year. Prosecutors said the alleged victim was one of Jessop’s nine wives.

The jury sentenced Jessop, 38, to 10 years in prison with an $8,000 fine after deliberating all afternoon. He could have received up to 20 years in prison.

Eleven other members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have been indicted on various charges, including assault and bigamy. They will be tried separately.

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