Colorado woman investigated as polygamy-hoax caller

Rozita Swinton

A 33-year-old Colorado Springs woman has been questioned about a telephone call that
sparked a raid at the polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints compound in western Texas two weeks ago.

Rozita Swinton was arrested at her home Wednesday night by Colorado Springs police for
an incident that occurred in February. Members of the Texas Rangers were also in Colorado
Springs as part of their investigation.

"The Texas Rangers were in Colorado Springs (Wednesday) as part of their
investigation involving the compound in Texas. They left and have not filed any charges on
Rozita Swinton as of this time," said Colorado Springs police spokesman Lt. Skip
Arms.

Colorado Springs police said the arrest warrant has been sealed and refused to release
any other details, reported Deseret News.

Swinton posted $20,000 bail at the El Paso County Jail and was released.

"She does have some history with Colorado Springs Police of making prior false
calls to police," Arms told KRDO Radio in Colorado Springs.

According to KDRO, Swinton's arrest was for a false call to police in February. A young
girl named "Jenifer" claimed she was being held hostage in a basement, causing
Colorado Springs police to spend most of the day searching more than a dozen homes.

KUSA-TV, Denver, reported Swinton was arrested in Castle Rock, Colo., two years ago for
making a false report.

Texas authorities launched their raid on the compound after receiving a warrant based
on a phone call from a girl named "Sarah" who called for help, claiming she was
pregnant and living inside the compound with her 49-year-old abusive husband.

Flora Jessop, an outspoken ex-member of the FLDS group, told KUSA-TV she believes
Swinton may have been the person she spoke with by phone, who claimed to be Sarah's twin
sister.

She said the woman she believes is Rozita Swinton called again Thursday morning after
Swinton bailed out of the El Paso County Jail.

"I did get her to admit to me her name was Rose," Jessop said.

Texas lawmakers have defended the removal of 416 children from the polygamous sect's
ranch and the separation of older children from their mothers.

"I'm so proud of our state for acting in the manner it has acted," said state
Rep. Drew Darby, of San Angelo, earlier this week. Texas' motto, he said, ought to be
changed to "Don't mess with the children of Texas."

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