Tom Green, a well-known polygamist, was convicted of bigamy and criminal non-support in 2001. He also faced child rape charges for marrying a 13-year-old girl when he was 37. He served time in prison and was released in 2007.
Tom Green gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his open practice of polygamy in Utah, which drew media attention and legal scrutiny. Green appeared on various talk shows, defending his lifestyle and the practice of polygamy, which is illegal under Utah law. His legal troubles began when the state of Utah decided to crack down on polygamy, and Green became a target due to his high profile.
In 2001, Green was convicted on four counts of bigamy and one count of failure to pay child support for his 30 children. The case against him was built on the fact that he had legally married one woman while having “spiritual marriages” with others. The issue of child rape was brought to the forefront when it was revealed that Green had married a 13-year-old girl. This resulted in a separate conviction for child rape, as the girl was underage at the time of the marriage and Green was significantly older.
Green’s convictions were seen as a significant legal action against polygamy in Utah, which has a history of polygamous communities. His case highlighted the complexities and controversies surrounding the practice, including the welfare of women and children, the legality of spiritual marriages, and the challenges of enforcing anti-polygamy laws.
After serving six years of his sentence, Green was released from prison in 2007. Since his release, he has kept a relatively low profile. The impact of his case continues to be felt in discussions about polygamy and its legal status in the United States.