A federal judge says a Utah contractor used nearly 200 children from a polygamous sect as unpaid workers during a 2012 pecan harvest.
U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell sided with federal labor lawyers who said kids as young as 6 worked long hours with few breaks during the harvest about 300 miles south of Salt Lake City. She decided Wednesday to hold Paragon Contractors in contempt of court.
Prosecutors contend the company has deep ties to the sect led by Warren Jeffs and used 1,400 unpaid workers, including 175 children. Labor lawyers are asking for sanctions and back pay.
Lawyers for the contractor had argued that families were volunteering to pick up fallen nuts for the needy and children looked forward to the break from home-schooling.
Defense attorney Rick Sutherland declined to comment Thursday.