ST. GEORGE — Rodney and Suzie Holm, legally married since 1986, share more than their religion, 11 children and their lives together. Today the couple, both 36 years old and members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, plan to walk together into a 5th District courtroom to face felony charges of sexual misconduct and bigamy.
"They're prepared to face these charges and stand up for what they believe in," said Rod Parker, attorney for the Holms and the FLDS Church, whose members openly practice polygamy in the twin cities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. Another enclave of church members reside across the Idaho border in Canada.
Rodney Holm, an 11-year police officer certified in Utah and Arizona, is facing three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor 16 or 17 and a charge of bigamy, all third-degree felonies.
Suzie Stubbs Holm is charged with one count each of aiding or abetting sexual conduct with a minor 16 or 17 and bigamy, also third-degree felonies
The charges stem from a state investigation that began after a now 20-year-old Ruth Stubbs Holm, Rodney Holms' former third wife and Suzie's sister, aired details of her marriage during a child custody battle. Rodney and Ruth Holm married in an FLDS Church ceremony when she was 16 and he was 32. Three children were born to Ruth; two of them by the time she was 18. Utah law makes it a crime for someone 10 years older than a 16- or 17-year-old to have sexual relations with that person unless they are legally married. Rodney Holm's name appears on the children's birth certificates as their father, according to his attorney. A second wife, Wendy, brought two children to her spiritual marriage with Rodney and bore him another eight children. The wives and children live together with Rodney Holm in his Hildale home.
"Rodney tells the truth, acknowledges his responsibility, stands up to it and doesn't deny these children," said Parker. "And the attorney general focuses on that admission and punishes him for doing that. Why doesn't he prosecute people who are engaged in uncommitted sexual relationships and sleep around outside of marriage?"
Colorado City Mayor Dan Barlow, who also serves as an unofficial FLDS Church spokesman, said members are saying little around town about the Holm case and don't wish to. "This is legalized persecution of a religion. To equate plural marriage with child abuse is foolish," said Barlow. "But I think we can endure it. We will have to ride it out and carry on."
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff bristles at the suggestion his office is picking on the FLDS Church because of its teachings. "This case has nothing to do with religious preferences," Shurtleff said.
"I guess I do want to send a message, though, that my concern is the marriage of young girls and if someone is having sex with a minor. We have got to uphold the law and enforce the law against people who break the law."
Fears that a wide spread sweep of the border towns is coming are unfounded, he added. "I don't know if I can put it (the fear) to rest, but we are certainly not going to run and charge somebody without the ability to go to trial. We don't have the resources to go after consenting adults in bigamous relationships," he said.
Most young women in the FLDS Church are married by the time they're 20 years old, said Barlow. "Most of the time the gals are young and want to get on with life. There are sometimes a few who reach the age of 23 or 24 and are not married," he said. "But the concept of somebody being forced to do something is ridiculous The very basis of our religion is our free agency," Barlow added. Parker is bracing himself to face a crowd of reporters armed with cameras and notebooks in front of the St. George courthouse.
"I am expecting a media circus," said Parker, who on Thursday fielded numerous media interviews, including one with a Canadian reporter and one from National Public Radio.
Rodney Holm, in a prepared statement issued by Parker, said he and his family are trying to live by a principle central to their religion.
"We realize it is hard for people to accept our beliefs, but we wish people would let us live according to our own conscience," said Holm.
"We are a very happy family, but my children know about this and they are worried about what is going to happen to them."
E-MAIL: nperkins@infowest.com