This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Members of a Utah polygamous group accused of food stamp fraud are scheduled to go on trial in late May.
A federal judge set a May 31 trial date Tuesday in the case against 11 members of the group led by jailed leader Warren Jeffs.
Also Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart reversed a magistrate judge's ruling keeping one of Warren Jeffs' closest confidants behind bars.
Stewart ruled that defendant John Wayman could be set free ahead of trial. His lawyers say that he's not a flight risk because he wouldn't abandon his business that employs nearly 100 people.
Prosecutors argued Wayman could flee because of his unwavering loyalty to Jeffs.
Two of Jeffs' brothers, Lyle Jeffs and Seth Jeffs, have been jailed in the case.
All 11 defendants have pleaded not guilty.