Americas’ most famous polygamist was sentenced today for his previous convictions involving crimes against children at his Texas compound.

Warren Jeffs was given life in prison for his role in the assault of two young girls who he took as “wives.” The prosecutor said that Jeffs had “corrupted and perverted” his position as an authority in his religious organization in order to “satisfy his own appetites and desires.”

Jeffs, 55, was given life for engaging in sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl that he claimed as one of his wives. This conviction was obtained largely due to an audio recording of the supposed encounter.

He was given 20 years for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl that the took as one of his wives. The prosecution submitted DNA evidence that proved Jeffs as the father of one of her children. He will serve the sentences consecutively.

Jeffs, who became the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (not affiliated with the mainstream LDS church, or Mormons) when his father died in 2002. Some estimates put his total number of wives at 78-80, with over 20 of them under the age of 17.

As you might expect, Twitter is all a-flutter about the news. And as you probably also expect, the comedians are out in full force –

The most popular joke is the polygamy/prison joke, with its many variations –

Some Twitter users are against those types of jokes, however –

Humor is cathartic. It’s how many people deal with serious issues. Warren Jeffs did some messed up stuff, that’s for sure. Is it alright to make light of his conviction? Did he get what he deserved? Let us know in the comments.

[Image Courtesy CNN]