FLDS leader issued cease-and-desist letter for Pike Lake Road property

Seth Jeffs, a known polygamist, convicted felon and member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been ordered by Cook County to immediately stop “earth work activity” on his property near Pike Lake Road.

Jeffs purchased 40 acres of property in 2018 along Pike Lake Road in Cook County and developed plans to build a nearly 6,000-square-foot building on the land.

After receiving information about how the land was being developed, particularly as it pertains to stormwater and wetlands, staff from the Cook County Land Services Department visited the property under question on Friday, May 24, according to Tim Nelson, the director of the department.

“During the site visit, concerns were observed regarding the earth work that had been conducted on the property, which then resulted in the issuance of a cease-and-desist order of all further earth work activity until a more thorough review could be conducted and corrective measures are taken,” Nelson said in a statement sent to WTIP. “At this point, all earth work is on hold and the property owner is cooperating with department staff.”

A private investigator from Utah, Sam Brower, visited Cook County in mid-May. The purpose of the visit was to engage with local residents about the purchase of local land by Jeffs.

On May 18, Brower visited Pike Lake Road and the edge of the property purchased by Seth Jeffs. After using a drone to survey the property, Brower believes the FLDS church is looking to build a compound in Cook County. His aerial footage also revealed extensive work being done on the property using large equipment, including a bulldozer and excavator and a large swath of land cleared to build the nearly 6,000 sq. ft. building.

Click here to read a copy of the cease-and-desist order sent to Seth Jeffs from Cook County.