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Texas sect man guilty of sexual assault of minor

Associated Press - November 6, 2009 7:25 AM ET

ELDORADO, Texas (AP) - Texas has won a criminal conviction in its first trial of a polygamist sect member charged with sexually assaulted an underage girl.

The penalty phase begins Monday in Eldorado (el-doh-RAY'-doh) for 38-year-old Raymond Jessop.

Jessop yesterday was convicted for having sex with the teen with whom he had a so-called spiritual marriage. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

The defense declined comment.

Jessop, who allegedly has nine wives, faces trial later on a bigamy charge.

The Yearning For Zion Ranch was raided in April 2008 amid concerns about alleged abuse.

Child welfare officials put all 439 sect youngsters in foster care. An appeals court later ruled that Texas authorities had overstepped. The children went back to their parents.

Authorities seized documents from ranch homes and vaults in the limestone temple and annex building.

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