CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses incidents of child sexual assault
Samuel Bateman, a leader of a polygamous sect, has been sentenced to an additional 24 years in prison on state charges of child abuse. This comes in addition to his existing 50-year federal prison term for his involvement in sexual activities with children.
Bateman, 50, was found guilty of three counts of child abuse following a traffic stop in Flagstaff, Arizona, in August 2022. During the stop, three girls aged 11 to 14 were discovered in a trailer lacking proper ventilation, air conditioning, and seat belts. Authorities were alerted to the situation after observing small fingers protruding through gaps in the trailer doors.
Judge Joshua Steinlage cited the grave danger the girls faced in the trailer as a key factor in his decision to impose the state sentence after Bateman completes his federal term. Bateman, who represented himself and did not seek leniency during sentencing, expressed love for the individuals involved but denied any intent to harm them.
Victims of Bateman’s actions refuted his claims of innocence, with one victim recounting the emotional trauma she endured as a result of his abuse. She described how Bateman exploited her sexually at the age of 12, leading to ongoing psychological distress and the need for therapy to cope with the aftermath.
Bateman, who previously asserted to have over 20 “spiritual wives,” including minors, was a part of an offshoot group linked to the larger polygamous sect once overseen by Warren Jeffs.
Hildale, Utah, at the base of Red Rock Cliff mountains, and its sister city, Colorado City, Ariz., in the foreground, were the home base for Bateman’s sect. (Rick Bowmer/The Associated Press)
In the recent state case, Bateman admitted to being aware of the girls’ confinement in a poorly ventilated trailer for an extended period. However, he minimized the severity of the situation, claiming he believed the girls had left the trailer when they stopped.
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker emphasized that the sentencing aimed to hold Bateman accountable for the harm inflicted on the young victims and to prevent future harm to children.
Spotlight on Netflix Series
Federal authorities revealed Bateman’s extensive travels across multiple states as he established his offshoot group associated with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This sect, known for its polygamous practices, traces its roots back to the same communities where Bateman operated.
Bateman, a confidant of Warren Jeffs, who is serving a life sentence for child sexual assault, was prominently featured in the Netflix series Trust Me: The False Prophet.