Samuel Bateman, who is alleged to have married more than 20 women and girls, is set to receive a prison sentence of 20-50 years for sex crimes. Bateman was arrested in 2022 after federal agents noticed 3 girls trapped in the back of Bateman’s horse trailer. He posted bond but was arrested again for obstruction of justice. 7 of Bateman’s adult wives also face significant jail time.
Bateman is associated with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The FLDS split from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly referred to as Mormons, in the 1890s over polygamy. The FLDS has been plagued by scandals where sect members claim to take young girls as ‘spiritual wives.’ Bateman has claimed to be a close follower of Warren Jeffs, who was jailed in 2011 for sexual abuse of minors.
Bateman has pleaded guilty to transporting girls across state lines for sex. He also admitted to kidnapping girls from protective custody. While each charge carries a possible life sentence, his plea deal limits the jail time to 50 years total. However, before sentencing, a judge must determine if Bateman is mentally fit to serve jail time. If not, he will be confined to a psychiatric facility.
Starting in 2019, Samuel Bateman, began to take on additional ‘spiritual wives.’ Acting on orders from his ‘Heavenly Father,’ he began extolling the virtues of polygamy. None of these marriages were legally recognized. However, Bateman has acknowledged that each marriage marked the start of a sexual relationship. The Cult leader would also publicly humiliate his wives for their indiscretions.
Despite this abuse, some of his wives continue to defend him. “What they’re trying to do is annihilate a religion,” one of the women said. “Samuel is a prophet and a savior in this world. He hasn’t done wrong. They’ve got to realize that God will defend his prophet.” In the same statement, she described Bateman as a ” sweet, gentle spirit.” Attorneys representing the wives believe their clients have been manipulated and abused.
Bateman traveled between Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, and Arizona to coerce girls into criminal sexual activity. Additionally, evidence of these sex crimes was transmitted electronically across state lines. He was initially apprehended in Flagstaff Arizona, where he was caught with 3 young girls in the back of a trailer. Inside the trailer were three girls aged 11-14 as well as camp chairs, a makeshift toilet, and blankets.
While he initially made bond, Samuel Bateman, was quickly arrested again. 9 children were placed in protective custody, but 8 would escape within a few days. The runaways were recovered in Oregon, hundreds of miles away, in a car driven by one of Bateman’s wives. Of the 7 Bateman wives charged with crimes, most were related to kidnapping.
Others outside of the Bateman family were implicated as well. Two brothers, from Colorado City also face possible life sentences for their involvement. Federal authorities allege these two men traveled to coerce girls into sex on behalf of Bateman. Sources indicate the brothers purchased the cult leader a number of luxury cars including two Bentleys.