Minister, Wife Held on Morals Charge, April 19, 1939

April 19, 1939: Joseph Jeffers and his wife, Zella Joy, were accused of engaging  in an illegal act in the privacy of their own home that was so obscene The Times couldn't say what it was. Even their private discussions were obscene, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, which recorded them on a hidden dictograph.

Above, March 22, 1939: Jeffers is charged. At right, April 11, 1939: Jeffers denies the charges.   Aug. 27, 1938: Jeffers preaches at the Kingdom Church.   Jan. 14, 1939: Jeffers charged that he was being prosecuted because of his views against the Jews. March 24, 1939, Jeffers is freed. A sermon on "Man in Jail."

Above, Jeffers' followers pray before his hearing, April 19, 1939.  Below, a witness describes the couple's alleged "unnatural acts," which  are too graphic for The Times.  What happened to Joseph Jeffers? Stay tuned!