A leader of a polygamous sect, Samuel Bateman, was sentenced to an additional 24 years in prison for child abuse in Arizona. This sentence is separate from his existing 50-year federal prison term for coercing minors into sexual acts and attempting to abduct girls. The state convictions arose from a 2022 incident where three girls, aged 11 to 14, were found in a trailer during a traffic stop. The trailer lacked proper ventilation, air conditioning, and seat belts, leading to concerns for the girls’ safety.
Judge Joshua Steinlage emphasized the significant risk the girls faced in the trailer and ordered Bateman to serve the state sentence after completing his federal term. Bateman, who represented himself, expressed love for the girls but did not seek leniency. Victims urged the judge to reject his claims of innocence, recounting the psychological trauma they endured.
Bateman previously acknowledged knowing about the poor conditions in the trailer but downplayed them, claiming he thought the girls had left. The court’s decision aimed at holding Bateman accountable for the harm inflicted on the victims and preventing future child endangerment.
The leader’s sect, an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, practiced polygamy across multiple states. Bateman’s association with Warren Jeffs, a former sect leader serving life imprisonment for child sexual assault, highlighted the group’s troubled history. The sect’s influence has declined over the years, with court interventions restructuring the governance of its base towns.
Netflix featured Bateman in the series “Trust Me: The False Prophet,” shedding light on his controversial leadership. The case underscores the persistent dangers posed by individuals exploiting religious authority for criminal activities.
If you face immediate danger, please call 911, and for local support services, refer to the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.