A Texas judge signed an arrest warrant for Barlow last Thursday after a 16-year-old girl accused him of marrying and impregnating her. Barlow, 50, is on probation in Arizona for a conviction stemming from his marriage to a different 16-year-old girl, with whom he has a son.
While he denies knowing his Texas accuser - and others have said he is not the girl's husband - police said at a press conference today that he remains their suspect.
In letters to an Arizona judge before Barlow's sentencing in August, FLDS members argued he had committed no crime in marrying the girl and compared him to persecuted religious figures.
"He is only trying to live... his religion," wrote Heber Barlow, one of about 30 people who sent letters to the Mohave County court. "There are no victims and there is no crime."
According to a pre-sentence investigation, Barlow is a journeyman plumber with three wives and 22 children. The victim in the sex charges against him was his third wife, who told investigators she entered the marriage of "my own free will," was happy with the marriage and did not feel as though a crime was committed, according to the report.
It also said Barlow referred to their union as a celestial marriage "to get back in to the Heaven of my God."
Barlow pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor; a second charge was dropped. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years on probation.
Arnold Jessop, who described himself as a friend of Barlow, wrote to the sentencing judge, "His marriage to [the teenager] seemed to me very natural and proper."
Jessop argued the Bible says God allowed Abraham to have multiple wives, and referred to past prophets in the mainstream Mormon church and the polygamous sect.
"Maybe our legislators have cunningly laid a snare to catch the innocent just because they believe in an unpopular religion," Jessop continued. "So it was on the days of Jesus Christ. So it was in the days of Joseph Smith. So it was in the Days of Warren Jeffs."
Jeffs, the sect's leader, has been convicted of rape as an accomplice in Utah and is jailed awaiting trial on similar charges in Arizona.
One of Barlow's brothers, Anthony Barlow, made a modern comparison.
"Why should a man be thrown into prison for living his religion while society will forgive the former president of the United States of immoral acts while in the office of President?" the brother wrote.
At a Texas press conference today, Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran said Barlow "is still a suspect," adding, "we are working on that (part of the investigation) right now."
The Texas teen also has not been located.
Barlow's Arizona probation officers have said he denies knowing the Texas girl and has been checking in regularly with them, as required.
Sect critics familiar with the Texas 16-year-old girl contend she is not married to Barlow, but to a different man with the same surname. The Salt Lake Tribunegenerally does not name alleged sexual abuse victims.
Asked if police have the wrong man and will request an arrest warrant for another man, Capt. Barry Caver of the Texas Rangers said today: "Until we find her, sit her down and take a complete statement, we have no way of knowing that."
In the letters filed in Mohave County, one of Barlow's daughters, then 18-year-old Salena Barlow, said her father treated every child like his favorite.
"My Mothers are happy and cheerful and wouldn't want to be separated," she wrote. "Though our family is large, I could not imagine having our family broken up and separated. I truly love every member of our family."
Letter excerpts
The following are excerpts of letters written in support of Dale Evans Barlow prior to his August 2007 sentencing. Barlow pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit sexual conduct with a minor and was sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years on probation by a judge in Mohave County, Ariz. The court redacted names or information identifying Barlow's teenage wife. The relationships listed were supplied by the letter writers.
In the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith it was the same. The evil, wicked, and sick-minded men (people) harassed the Priesthood people because they loved their Heavenly Father more then anything in this world. Now it is happening again! I think that all charges to this man should be dropped and dismissed that he may continue to teach his family in righteous living, helping and blessing others.
- Celia Ann Emack, sister
I am Jennie Marie Barlow, the Daughter of Dale E. Barlow. I am 16 years old. I have lived with him all my life. I am aware that he is being accused for no reason. In view of the fact that he has such a strong moral character, and the charges against him are just religious persecution, I recommend you drop this case, and hold no charges.
- Jennie Marie Barlow, daughter
My awareness of Dale's prosecution has been shocking. His marriage to [redacted] seemed to me very natural and proper. There was no force or coercion. All seemed to be done in the true spirit of matrimony and the blessing of all who were honestly concerned.
Obviously the charges that have been brought against him are made by someone who either has a grudge against him or his religion.
Read the Bible, if it is still considered scripture by the modern world, in it we see that Abraham and many others were approved by God and commended for their obedience to the plurality of wives doctrine. But maybe it is not the aim or desire of so many in the world today to please God.
Maybe our legislators have cunningly laid a snare to catch the innocent just because they believe in an unpopular religion. So it was on the days of Jesus Christ. So it was in the days of Joseph Smith. So it was in the Days of Warren Jeffs. This to me is a testimony of the innocence and purity of life that Dale is living.
- Arnold Jesup, friend
It is a deep sorrow to me that these kinds of religion driven prejudices could be orchestrated by men and women in powerful positions in our State and Federal governments, who are trying to force Dale to deny his beliefs and principles. It is always refreshing to me to know and deal with those who are committed to their beliefs and principles.
- Dennis N. Darger, friend
I personally don't see the problem when the girl, her parents, and all were willing to go forward with the marriage. I know the girl would never testify against Dale because their love and commitment to each other is greater than the threat of incarceration.
She definitely is not "brainwashed" as some might say, and any inquiring person would find that out very quickly were they engage in a conversation with her. I personally think the case should be thrown out.
- Dan Timpson, cousin
Why should a man be thrown into prison for living his religion while society will forgive the former president of the United States of immoral acts while in the office of President?
- Anthony Barlow, brother
He is only trying to live, to the best of his knowledge, his religion. There are no victims and there is no crime. It would seem in the best interest of the state and the people of this nation that this case would be dismissed and thus no punishment attached.
- Heber Barlow
Knowing my Father as I do I could not in my wildest dreams imagine him capable of such a crime as he is being accused of. My Mothers are happy and cheerful and wouldn't want to be separated. Though our family is large, I could not imagine having our family broken up and separated. I truly love every member of our family. And each one of us are his favorite one.
I recommend that the charges against my father be dismissed.
- Salena Barlow, daughter
What the County is accusing him of is very opposite to his character. If there was any justice in our court systems it seems that you would listen to the people who know him and not those who are discontented with our religion. This religious persecution has been happening to our family for more than 5 years. All our younger children have a fear of those who should be peace officers, because they have come to our home so many times knocking on doors, surrounding the house etc..
- Linda Barlow, wife
I am aware of the charges he now faces and the accusations made against him. I am also aware of the strength of public opinion and the pressures upon you in handling a case involving an unpopular religion. I strongly encourage you, Your Honor, to consider the truths involved in the case and not pass judgment to simply pacify the work of antagonists using the media and public opinion as their battering ram against a man of noble character, who's desire and intent in all respects are focused in obedience to lawful conduct and honoring his religion. I believe you are capable of making a wise and lawful decision regarding his case and trust that Dale's effort in living the rights guaranteed to him by the blood of the founders of this nation will not cause an unlawful incarceration or penalty. I urge you to drop the case and all charges, and honor the great commitment you have made in upholding the rights and privileges given to every citizen of this great nation.
- James Barlow, brother
I know the character of this man to be the very best there is. I mean he is honest and clean, morally and every other way; loves his family and cares for them wonderfully. His religion in his life, and his family is with him because of that. They too enjoy the happiness of a father who loves them and a religion that teaches them to love one another. The father is the key to a happy home. Dale is only doing his part to build up the work of God on earth. He is not guilty of any evil or wrong acts.
He even has no bad feelings for those who accuse him at this time, but would feel much better if he could just live his life and not be persecuted for his religion.
- Terrill Johnson, friend
In my opinion it would be a tragic miscarriage of justice to take him from his family and community where he is performing such needed and conscientious service. He has been honest and trustworthy all of his life and even though the turbulent teenage years he was very responsible. He is loved not only by his family, but by everyone who knows him. The problem before the court is religious matter although it may be made to look different by the press and those who do not share with Dale in those views. Immorality and criminal activity has never been a part of his life.
- Joseph Barlow, uncle
