Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to keep members of a polygamous group accused of food-stamp fraud and money laundering behind bars because they are flight risks.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah argued in court documents filed late Tuesday that group leader Lyle Jeffs and 10 others are likely to flee and seek to hide in the group's elaborate network of houses throughout North and South America.
The issue is expected to be discussed at court hearings Wednesday for the people arrested.
Prosecutors say the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints based on the Utah-Arizona border uses aliases, disguises, false identification documents and pre-paid cellphones to help people avoid being caught.
Court records don't show attorneys for Lyle Jeffs and the others, or court documents responding to the allegations.
Also arrested was Seth Jeffs. He and Lyle Jeffs are top-ranking leaders group and brothers of imprisoned sect leader Warren Jeffs.