There is a surprise or two in the default order Wendell Musser received from 5th District Judge James L. Shumate, which was signed on Friday.

Wendell was a caretaker for FLDS leader Warren S. Jeffs' wives from late 2005 until June 2006, when Jeffs cut him off because he'd been picked up for driving while intoxicated. Jeffs removed Wendell's wife Vivian and their then 11-month-old son and placed them in hiding. Despite a desperate search for them, Wendell was unable to find his family. So he sued Jeffs.

Wendell is trying to get Jeffs to provide information on the whereabouts of his son, Levi. The order says that Jeffs shall provide Wendell with all location, contact and access information for Levi and his mother, Vivian Barlow -- including physical adddress and telephone numbers.

The order also directs Jeffs to disclose to Musser each location where Levi has resided in the past 13 months and where he may be located in the future. It instructs Jeffs to allow Musser telephone and physical access to Levi and Barlow so the father can coordinate visits with his son.

The judge gave Jeffs until July 25 to provide the information or Musser's attorneys -- Greg and Roger Hoole -- will be allowed to question Jeffs under oath on July 27.

The judge said that if Jeffs fails to provide the information by July 25, he may be sanctioned in the amount of $600 a day, drawn from his commissary account at the Purgatory Correctional Facility.

Here's the kicker: The order also said any sanctions may be assessed against seized property found with Jeffs at his arrest last August -- the cash, telephones, vehicle, laptop comuters, GPS devices. It also gives Musser claim to "other assets and real estate, wherever located, inside or outside of Utah, and however titled or otherwise held by or on behalf of Jeffs."

The judge also gave Musser the go-ahead to take similar action against the FLDS church or individuals who interfere with his right to see his son.

It is unlikely Musser will execute on any of those claims. By next Wednesday, he will likely have heard from Vivian or a representative for her. It worked last time. A day before Jeffs' response to the initial lawsuit was due, Musser got a call from his father inviting him to Utah where he met with Vivian.

She told Musser that neither she nor Levi wanted anything to do with him. Vivian even refused to let Wendell hold his son. As of Thursday, Wendell has had no word from them since that May 25 meeting.

My bet is that by next week Wendell will be hugging that little boy as tight as he can.

Labels: Wendell Musser

Wendell Musser will be on Anderson Cooper tonight at 8 p.m. to talk about his search for his wife and son. So far, he's had no response from FLDS sect leader Warren Jeffs about his family's whereabouts.

If you have any information about Vivian or Levi, call the office of Roger Hoole, Wendell's attorney, at 801-277-1989. Hoole will pass information or contacts along to Wendell.

Labels: Warren Jeffs, Wendell Musser

Five days have passed since the story broke of Wendell Musser and his search for his wife Vivian and son Levi. He has heard nothing.

So Musser is pressing ahead with his search. He'll be on Channel 2 and on Fox News tonight telling his story.

Musser is asking that Vivian or anyone who has information about her call the office of Roger Hoole, his attorney, at 801-277-1989. Hoole will pass information or contacts along.

Musser and his attorney sent a letter today to Merrill Jessop, the presiding elder of the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, asking him for information about Vivian and Levi.

Hoole said they are ready to play hardball with FLDS church leaders in their search for information on Musser's family. ''If we can't get information we're going to sue more and more church leaders,'' Hoole said.''It's a small thing to ask.''

Labels: FLDS, Merrill Jessop, Texas, Wendell Musser

For more than a year, I'd written stories that hinted at how Warren Jeffs might be traveling around and eluding capture. It was amazing to be able to hear a first-hand account from Wendell Musser, who spent months in hiding as a courier and caretaker for Jeffs' family.

You can access the story here: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_577817

Wendell is just one of dozens of men who've been separated from their families. Only a few have stepped forward to fight for the right to be a father to their children. Actually, I am aware of only one: Richard Holm, a former polygamist who was kicked out in 2004 by Jeffs. Richard went to court to ensure he had visitation and some say in his children's upbringing.

Some men have been able to negotiate access to their children with their former wives, who remain in the FLDS community. But many more have walked away.

I am a little surprised by the reaction of some to the story about Wendell's marriage to Vivian. It was an appointed marriage, but Wendell describes it as a happy one. Perhaps Vivian has a different take; hopefully, some day I'll be able to report on the conclusion of their story. For now, Wendell has put the credibility of his version of their relationship on the line in a lawsuit and news report.

One reader wondered how happy Vivian might be when her husband took other wives. Many men in the FLDS community are monogamists. Some of those who have plural wives never had a say about the matter. And some, men and women alike, embrace the lifestyle.

What I know is Wendell, who has left the FLDS faith, wants a chance to reunite with and prove his love to one woman: Vivian.

One other tidbit from my interview with Wendell. Nine months have passed since Jeffs' arrest, but the fact he was wearing shorts when captured still surprises even former supporters.

While Jeffs wore regular clothes while in hiding, he apparently wore -- and stressed the importance of wearing -- sacred undergarments. Wendell asked me during our interview if Jeffs was wearing his garments under his shorts.

When I said no, that wasn't possible, he shook his head in amazement.

Labels: FLDS, marriage, Warren Jeffs, Wendell Musser