TEXAS
CNN

By Michael Martinez and AnneClaire Stapleton, CNN

(CNN) — Texas authorities initiated the seizure of the 1,600-acre ranch where prosecutors say polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs and others sexually abused children, officials said Thursday.

The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Schleicher County Sheriff’s Office met Wednesday afternoon with two residents of the Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado, Texas, and those occupants said eight adults live there, a DPS spokesman said Thursday.

Authorities provided the residents with copies of court orders directing the state to take possession of the forfeited ranch, state officials said.

“Law enforcement personnel are working with the occupants of the ranch to take all reasonable actions to assist with their departure of the property, to preserve the property, and to successfully execute the court order,” the state agency said.

The state obtained the final judgment of forfeiture on January 6, authorities…