(SAN ANGELO, Texas)-The bigamy trail involving the former leader of a polygamous sect has been moved from San Angelo, Texas to Midland, Texas as he faces third-degree felony bigamy charges in the Lone Star State.

The 71-year-old Wendell Loy Nielsen, who once served as president of a polygamous sect straddling the Utah-Arizona border will face up to 10 years in prison and be fined $10,000 should he be convicted.

As of January 2011, he was removed by presiding sect leader Warren Jeffs who will be incarcerated for the rest of his life because of crimes against underaged women.

Nielsen’s trial was originally slated for January 24, but Monday, presiding Texas 51st District Judge Barbara Walther ordered the change of venue.

Nielsen is the 11th member of Jeffs’ sect to undergo prosecutions because of warrants emanating out of Schlechler County (Texas) when Texas Rangers raided the sect’s compound in Eldorado, Texas as of April 2008.

Nielsen’s lawyers assert bigamy laws in Texas suppress religious freedoms of residents, as well as spiritual beliefs which transcend the practice of polygamy.

Court records attest charges against Nielsen are Class A misdemeanors instead of third-degree felonies while the designation means less prison time as well as a reduced fine.