No matter the outcome of the Monson Fraud Affair (MFA for short), it's been a while since a Mormon prophet has faced the justice system. I'm wondering when the last time this happened was.

Joseph Smith -- con man, pedophile, forger and general scum bag that he was -- faced criminal charges numerous times and spent time in various prisons.

I don't know the details of Brigham Young's dealings with the law, but he certainly had his share.

Subsequent polygamous prophets had troubles with the federal government over their excess wife issues.

After that, I don't recall any. Gordon Hinkley went to a lot of effort to avoid even testifying in the Mark Hoffman affair, to the point of ensuring that Hoffman could plead two first-degree murders down to manslaughter.

Those better acquainted with church history please chime in: before the MFA, which Mormon prophet most recently had troubles with the law?

CZ

Does Mitt count? He was arrested in 1981 for illegally launching his boat (charges were dismissed).

Well. there was John Taylor, an earlier jailbird buddy with Joseph at Carthage.

Although he walked outta there unscathed,he ended up conducting his brief profithood mostly underground as he fled the law. Midnight meetings of the 12 and all, at a time when the Morg became a fugitive renegade organization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yexdTdU28Po

The last big one would be Warren Steed Jeffs.

Joseph F. Smith

From "On This Day in Mormon History"

May 21, 1906 - Royal G. Smith is born to Mary T. Schwartz Smith
a plural wife of Church President Joseph F. Smith. Joseph F.
Smith is arrested, after returning from a trip to Europe, on a
charge of illegal cohabitation, and released on his own
recognizance. Under considerable pressure, the case is brought
to trial, and on November 23, 1906, Joseph F. Smith pleads
guilty and was fined $300