BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY AND LAUREN ZIMA

Imprisoned polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs might have violated prison rules by sending orders to his followers from behind bars. Here’s KHOU with more.

“Even though he was convicted and sent to a Texas prison for having sex with underage girls he married, Jeffs has continued to lead his followers in Utah over the phone. He recently banned things like bicycles, TVs, trampolines and even children’s toys... The latest move Jeffs has made, that’s causing an uproar, is voiding all existing marriages in the sect...”  

Jeffs is sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for sexual assault. He was convicted in August. WPVI has more on his new marriage rule.

“He sent an edict out saying couples can live together, but not as husband and wife. He says they are forbidden from having sexual contact, until he’s released from prison. By the way -- Jeff is serving a life sentence for raping underage girls.”

The story broke after a former sect member came forward, saying he was excommunicated from the 10,000 member church for having sex with his own wife. The Salt Lake Tribune explains Jeffs’ stronghold.

“ … dozens men who have been cast out of the polygamous sect this year by leaders loyal to Warren Jeffs. …  Jeffs gained perhaps his greatest ability to communicate in years when he was transferred to a Texas jail where he had access to a pay phone. Former members and jail staff said he used the phone to preach to the FLDS congregation over a loudspeaker.”

The LA Times spoke with a prison spokesperson, who explains prison rules are inmates can only call 10 people on an approved visitation list, and the loudspeaker aspect is what could do Jeffs in.

“‘If the calls … were put on speaker phone or patched through to someone else, that would be a violation of policy,’ [Jason] Clark said, adding that recording the conversation would also be a violation of prison rules.”

CNN reports that, while some members of the church have come out from under Jeffs’ control, others remain.

“Many members have disavowed Jeffs over his criminal convictions, while others are defending him and casting his conviction on sexual assault charges as an act of persecution.”

Authorities are investigating the alleged calls, and say Jeffs could lose phone privileges if he was sending orders to followers.