SALT LAKE CITY — A federal judge has rejected a request to remove an ankle monitoring device for a defendant in a massive fraud case involving a member of the Kingston polygamous family — so she can wear certain socks.
Sally Kingston's request was denied in an order on Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Jill Parrish.
"In the absence of evidence demonstrating that Sally Kingston may not wear the required socks underneath her ankle monitor, the court DENIES her motion to modify the conditions of her release," Judge Parrish wrote.
It is unknown exactly why Kingston wants her ankle monitoring device removed. Her attorneys filed the request under seal, meaning it is not publicly accessible. However, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah responded publicly in its own filing and said "Defendant seeks to have her ankle monitor removed because her ankle monitor interferes with her ability to wear certain socks."
"Government counsel communicated that the United States would be amenable to not objecting to Ms. Kingston’s request if we were provided with, among other things, an explanation regarding why she cannot wear the socks while she is on the ankle monitor. While the attachments to her motion establish that Ms. Kingston needs to wear the socks, the government has not received an explanation regarding why the ankle monitor cannot be adjusted to allow Ms. Kingston to wear the socks underneath her ankle monitor," assistant U.S. Attorney John Sullivan wrote.
In some instances, people wear specific types of socks or tights for medical or religious reasons.
Kingston, the wife of Washakie Renewable Energy CEO Jacob Kingston, pleaded guilty in 2019 to mail fraud conspiracy and money laundering charges. She was among a number of members of the Kingston polygamous family convicted in what federal authorities have alleged is a half-billion tax fraud scheme involving Washakie Renewable Energy. It stems from a 2016 raid by federal agents on properties tied to the Kingston polygamous group.
The Kingstons, who are members of the Davis County Cooperative Society, one of Utah's largest polygamous groups, were big contributors to many Utah politicians, including Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes. He initially put campaign contributions aside and then later admitted to spending the money. That became an issue in the 2020 election where Reyes was re-elected to office.
