Joseph Jeffers and the Great Cadillac Caper
April 13, 1944 — Joseph Jeffers, the self-proclaimed “Son of God,” made headlines across the nation when the FBI arrested him in Miami for stealing his estranged wife’s golden Cadillac.
In Jeffers’ mind, the marriage was long over. He had “buried his life with Zella” and moved on. Legally, though, the divorce wasn’t finalized, and the court had already awarded Zella the Cadillac. That didn’t stop Jeffers from hatching a plan to take it back.
The “Holy” Heist
When Zella refused to sell the car back, Jeffers recruited four of his most loyal followers for a late-night mission:
Helen Veborg – the woman destined (in Jeffers’ mind) to bear his promised seed
Leota Mulkins – his secretary
Clinton Hummel – business manager of the Kingdom Temple
Sam King – role unclear, perhaps a bodyguard or chaperone
Together, they drove to Los Angeles, only to discover Zella had already changed the locks. Not to be deterred, the group shoved the car into the street, hooked it to their own vehicle, and hauled it away like sanctified thieves on a mission from heaven. From California to Florida, they dragged the Cadillac across state lines, breaking more than a few “man-made” laws along the way.
Once back at the temple, Jeffers had a locksmith change the keys and even adopted a fake name to avoid attention. Yet later, he’d claim he wasn’t hiding anything. (So why the disguise and full beard, Joe?)
The FBI Closes In
The Cadillac wasn’t Jeffers’ only crime. John and Theresa Waldner, a couple in California, accused him of swindling them out of $3,800 — money meant for the church but instead used to fund his car theft adventure. Followers in L.A. were shocked, having believed their “Messiah” was away writing a new Bible under divine inspiration. Turns out, the only thing he was writing was his rap sheet.
Headlines and Hysteria
Jeffers paid a $1,000 bond and continued holding “services” in Miami while awaiting trial. On October 21, 1944, a federal grand jury indicted him for transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines. Ever arrogant, Jeffers demanded an immediate trial, claiming witnesses were en route to vouch for his “good character.” The court, however, had its own timetable.
When proceedings began in January 1945, Jeffers served as his own attorney. He prayed, sang hymns, and shouted before the jury, more like a circus ringmaster than a legal defender. At one point, newspapers reported he claimed Yahweh so overcame him that two young women had to hold him down while he wrote. (Strange—Paul never mentioned needing blonde assistants while penning the New Testament.)
Judgment Day
On January 29, 1945, the jury found Jeffers and his crew guilty. Hummel was convicted of conspiracy, while Sam King slipped free due to lack of evidence. A few days later, Jeffers was sentenced to four years in federal prison and fined $1,000.
Though reports vary, it seems he served about 15 to 17 months at McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary before being released.
Conclusion
What began as a twisted love triangle ended in a bizarre cult-driven crime spree. Jeffers’ Cadillac caper wasn’t just about a car — it was a window into the delusions, schemes, and manipulations of a man who thought he was above the law.
Don’t Miss Tonight’s Episode on this Case: PREMIERES TONIGHT @7PM Central
Madman or Messiah? An Investigation into the Crimes & Charisma of Cult Leader Joseph D. Jeffers
From extreme fundamentalist ideologies to the paranormal and the occult, Joseph Jeffers’ message integrated with the times and incited a religious fervor amongst his followers. In the 1930s, he was causing war in Arkansas and inciting violence that would lead to the death of one man and the attempted murder of a local preacher. In the 1940s, he was making headlines in L.A. for his lewd house parties. In the ’50s, his third wife would be brutally murdered. Her homicide would go unsolved. In the ’60s, he would make headlines in Arizona when he gambled off all of the church funds at the race track. In the ’70s, he would prophesy great and mighty things to do with UFOs and the Bermuda triangle. By 1978, he would be building a pyramid to withstand the apocalypse in Missouri. And by 1988, he would die of old age. No one ever stopped this man from stealing millions of dollars, coercing innocent young women, or hiring a hitman to kill his wife. Read this book to find out more about the crimes, the chaos, and the injustice in the life of Dr. Joseph D. Jeffers.
How could this man have gotten away with all of these crimes, and how could he have flown under the radar? After making so many ludicrous headlines, how do we not know the name of Joseph Jeffers?
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