CALLAHAN COUNTY – In his first sermon after leaving jail, Yisrayl “Buffalo Bill” Hawkins was in classic form: folksy, paternal and apocalyptic.
“No, we’re not getting ready to kill ourselves,” said the prophet of the House of Yahweh, a barbed wire kingdom of brimstone prophecies and abject poverty 15 miles southeast of Abilene.
“We’re getting ready to live through the greatest tribulation that ever will be.”
The troubles facing Mr. Hawkins may soon provide Texas’ first major test of strengthened anti-polygamy laws, just 150 miles from the national spotlight on Eldorado and the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The 73-year-old was arrested and indicated in February – less than two months before raids on the Eldorado compound – charged with four counts of promoting bigamy, made a felony in 2005 after the unrelated FLDS group arrived from Utah.
“This will probably be the first case of its kind,” said Callahan County Attorney Shane Deel, who began investigating the House of Yahweh after taking office in 2005.
Mr. Hawkins also faces a misdemeanor charge of breaking child labor laws, accused of having up to 40 children working weekdays “in the fields, in a canning operation, in a cafeteria and in the butter making process.”
Another member, elder Yedidiyah Hawkins, is expected to stand trial this summer on charges of aggravated sexual assault of his now 14-year-old stepdaughter, a girl who authorities allege he was planning to make his wife.
Yedidiyah, who like many members changed his last name to that of his teacher, faces additional charges, including bigamy and engaging in organized crime. Prosecutors say he has at least four wives.
Both men deny all the accusations. Their attorney, John Young, said the criminal charges stem largely from accusations by disgruntled former members and from misconceptions about the group.
“I think anytime there is a lack of understanding or knowledge about a group of people or a club or a religion, I think there’s a natural tendency on the part of society to be suspect,” Mr. Young said, adding that Mr. Deel is “overreaching” with the charges.