Woman arrested in Colorado for hoax calls investigated by Texas Rangers

By Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret News
Published: Friday, April 18, 2008 6:54 p.m. MDT
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Texas authorities said late Friday they were actively pursuing Rozita Swinton of Colorado Springs as a "person of interest" regarding phone calls made in late March to a crisis center hotline in San Angelo, Texas.

Swinton became a "person of interest" several days after law enforcement agencies entered the Yearning For Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, on April 3, according to a press release issued by the Texas Ranger Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The release didn't say whether or not authorities believe Swinton was the voice of "Sarah," who made distress calls saying she was a pregnant teenage mother, abused by her polygamous husband.

"It's still under investigation," said Lisa Block, spokeswoman for the Texas Rangers. "They're looking at this woman as a possibility. They have not ruled out anyone else."

Block said charges have yet to filed against Swinton.

Information, evidence and a statement by Swinton will be forward to state and federal prosecutors to determine whether Swinton will be charged criminally, the release said.

Two Texas Rangers traveled to Colorado Springs on Wednesday, and met with local law enforcement officers about a possible connection between Swinton and phone calls made "regarding activities" at the YFZ Ranch, the press release said.

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Texas Rangers accompanied Colorado Springs officers as they executed an evidentiary search warrant at Swinton's residence for items related to previous false reports to authorities in Colorado. During the search, officers found several items indicating a possible connection between Swinton and calls regarding FLDS compounds in Colorado City, Ariz., and Eldorado, Texas, according to the release.

The Texas Rangers have declined to comment further on the items of interest, which were released to Texas authorities. The affidavit for the search warrant was sealed by an El Paso County, Colo., judge.

The Texas Rangers also declined to comment on the investigation into Swinton.

Information leading authorities to Swinton took several days to develop with cooperation of numerous agencies, the release said. The Texas Rangers are continuing their investigation into the underage marriages of adolescent females with older males within the sect, according to the release.

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com

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Recent comments

This is one of the most horrible abuses in justice for the FLDS communities...

Rev. Manny | May 14, 2008 at 9:29 a.m.

If no signs of abuse or forceable marriages are found to be true,...

Lorri | May 14, 2008 at 7:31 a.m.

This doesn't disprove that the other kids in the sect where being...

Who cares | April 19, 2008 at 12:54 a.m.