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In December 2024, Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for conspiracy to transport a minor for sex and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
This self-proclaimed prophet amassed over 20 wives, including underage girls, according to the New York Times.
But who exactly is Samuel Bateman, and how did justice finally catch up with him?
Let's get into it.
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| Samuel Bateman |
Who is Samuel Bateman?
Samuel Rappylee Bateman, a 48-year-old Arizona resident, was the leader of a small polygamist sect.
He was a former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) member.
But Bateman broke away in 2019, proclaiming himself a prophet.
Using his position of power in FLDS, he gathered a following of fewer than 100 people and began taking women and young girls as his spiritual wives.
According to Arizona court records, Samuel Bateman coerced girls as young as 9 into becoming his "brides."
He forced them to engage in sexual acts with him and other adults during so-called "sacred ordinances."
These so-called "spiritual marriages" were nothing short of exploitation.
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| Samuel Bateman and his "wives" (Source - Daily Mail) |
In one chilling instance, Bateman reportedly told his 14-year-old daughter he wanted her to bear his child, offering her $50 and a bag of chips as “bribes.”
However, the girl’s mother eventually learned about Bateman’s intentions and sought legal intervention.
She successfully obtained a restraining order, effectively preventing Bateman from coming near her daughter again.
Prosecutors revealed that Bateman treated his child brides like property.
They cooked for him, sang for him, and even bathed him.
He paraded them in public and used religion to justify his actions, claiming divine guidance.
An FBI affidavit revealed Bateman once told his followers, “God instructed me to give the most precious thing I have, my girls’ virtue.”
This manipulative remark masked the horrific reality: Bateman used his status to traffic underage girls across state lines, a crime he pleaded guilty to in April 2024.
An in-depth investigation by federal authorities and the Arizona Department of Public Safety uncovered a multi-state network of abuse, exposing the dark side of cult-like communities.
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| Samuel Bateman's "wives" |
How Did the Police Catch Samuel Bateman?
The Arizona Department of Public Safety was pivotal in Bateman's initial arrest in August 2022.
While driving on a highway in Flagstaff, Arizona, a passerby noticed small fingers protruding from the rear door of an enclosed trailer.
As a result, they immediately alerted law enforcement.
Police stopped the vehicle to find three underage girls inside, living in appalling conditions: no ventilation, a makeshift toilet, and minimal furnishings.
This arrest opened a Pandora’s box of evidence.
Investigators linked Samuel Bateman to a larger scheme involving child abuse, kidnapping, and sexual exploitation.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety and FBI raided his home in Colorado City, removing several girls aged 11 to 16 from his custody.
They were reportedly kidnapped by Bateman’s followers after he gave them the instruction from jail.
Prosecutors also uncovered that Bateman instructed followers to destroy incriminating evidence using encrypted communication platforms.
His ability to manipulate others, even from behind bars, underscored the extensive control he had over his sect.
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| Samuel Bateman during his arrest |
Samuel Bateman's Trial and Sentencing
In April 2024, Samuel Bateman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a minor for sex and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Federal criminal prosecutors described Bateman’s sect as an “interstate child sexual abuse ring.”
They argued that he coerced minors into sexual acts with him and other adults, citing divine command.
His defense attorneys argued for a 20-year sentence due to alleged mental illness.
However, the court was not swayed and sentenced him to the maximum penalty of 50 years.
Bateman’s crimes drew comparisons to previous FLDS leaders, including Warren Jeffs, who also used religious authority to exploit minors.
Judge Susan Brnovich condemned Bateman, saying, “You stripped them of their innocence and childhood. The harm you caused is immeasurable.”
Victims bravely spoke out in court, sharing the devastating impact of his actions.
One survivor stated, “This abuse has created a ripple effect that has touched everyone I know.”
Nine of Bateman’s followers also faced legal consequences, with many pleading guilty to charges related to child sexual abuse and obstruction of justice.
As his victims begin to heal, his story underscores the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable communities
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