A leader of a polygamous sect, who is already serving a 50-year federal prison term for involvement in sexual acts with children, has been sentenced to an additional 24 years in prison on separate state charges related to child abuse. Samuel Bateman, aged 50, was found guilty of three counts of child abuse following a traffic stop in Flagstaff, Arizona, in August 2022. The stop led to the discovery of three girls, aged 11 to 14, in a trailer without proper ventilation, air conditioning, or seat belts. The trailer was reported to authorities after someone observed small fingers reaching through gaps in the doors.
Bateman, affiliated with a splinter group of a polygamous sect once led by Warren Jeffs, is already serving a 50-year federal sentence for coercing young girls to participate in sexual acts and planning to abduct girls from protective custody. The state sentence was imposed by Judge Joshua Steinlage due to the severe risk posed to the girls in the trailer and other aggravating factors. Bateman, representing himself in court, expressed his love for the individuals involved but did not seek leniency during the sentencing.
Victims of Bateman urged the judge to dismiss his claims of innocence. One victim, who was in the trailer during the traffic stop and had experienced sexual exploitation by Bateman at a young age, shared the emotional distress she endured. She emphasized the impact on her childhood and the ongoing therapy needed to overcome the trauma.
In his defense, Bateman acknowledged the poor conditions in the trailer but downplayed their severity, stating that he believed the girls had exited the vehicle. Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker emphasized that the sentence holds Bateman accountable for the harm inflicted on the victims and ensures he cannot harm children in the future.
Bateman, self-proclaimed as a prophet, asserted to have over 20 “spiritual wives,” including minors. He had a network spanning multiple states and was a trusted follower of Warren Jeffs, who is serving a life sentence for child sexual assault. The impact of the polygamous sect has diminished in the towns where it was historically based, with court actions leading to significant changes in governance.
Netflix’s series “Trust Me: The False Prophet” focused on Bateman’s story, depicting the disturbing events that led to his convictions.