Rangers Talk to Polygamist Rape Suspect

But Barlow walks, claiming case of mistaken identity
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 12, 2008 6:22 PM CDT
Rangers Talk to Polygamist Rape Suspect
A Texas State Trooper patrols the grounds as members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gather at public housing in San Angelo, Texas, Wednesday, April 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Texas Rangers today questioned a man suspected of raping a girl at an Eldorado polygamist ranch, but let him go, CNN reports. Dale Barlow, 50, voluntarily met the Rangers in Utah, saying he is innocent of the charge that sparked a raid at the compound last week. "The Texas Rangers met with him," said the director of an Arizona probation office. "He was allowed to go, and no arrest was made."

Barlow's attorney said his client, a convicted sex offender, has not been in Texas since 1977. He suggested Barlow's alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl at the ranch is a case of mistaken identity. Texas authorities raided the ranch on April 3 after the girl told a family shelter that Dale Barlow had beaten and raped her in a "spiritual marriage" that bore an 8-month-old child. (More Dale Barlow stories.)

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