Leader of Polygamous Sect Convicted on State Child Abuse Charges
A leader of a polygamous sect, already serving a federal prison term, faces new state convictions related to child abuse. The self-proclaimed prophet, Samuel Bateman, was found guilty by a Coconino County jury.
Bateman, who led a faction of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was stopped by police in August 2022. Authorities discovered three young girls, aged 11 to 14, in an unventilated trailer he was towing through Flagstaff. This trailer was outfitted with a makeshift toilet, sofa, and camping chairs.
In a separate federal case, Bateman was convicted of coercing young girls into sex acts and plotting to abduct them from protective custody. This case is highlighted in the Netflix series “Trust Me: The False Prophet.”
During his state trial, Bateman testified, claiming he had no intention of harming those he considered his “spiritual wives,” including 10 minors. He admitted to knowing the girls were in the trailer under poor conditions but minimized the situation, stating, “I just trusted myself as a driver.” Bateman alleged he was unaware the girls remained in the trailer when he was pulled over, saying he was “shocked as could possibly be.”
Prosecutor Eric Ruchensky emphasized to the jury, “It’s common sense that you don’t carry people in a trailer designed for cargo on a hot day with no ventilation.”
Despite a judge’s order to withhold Bateman’s federal conviction from the state trial, he referenced it multiple times while representing himself, leading to parts of his statements being removed from the record.
The jury quickly reached a verdict, finding Bateman guilty on three counts of child abuse. Each charge entails a mandatory sentence ranging from four to eight years, and the judge will decide whether these sentences run consecutively or concurrently. Sentencing is set for August 25.
Bateman’s practices are rooted in the historical teachings of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which renounced polygamy in 1890. He was formerly a close associate of Warren Jeffs, the sect’s previous leader, who is serving a life sentence for child sexual assault.
The influence of Bateman’s sect has diminished significantly in its traditional strongholds of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. A 2017 court order placed these towns under supervision, effectively removing the church from local governance. Rapid changes in the area led to the lifting of this supervision last summer, earlier than anticipated, and sect members now represent a small fraction of the local population.
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