In a recent court decision, Samuel Bateman, a leader of a polygamous sect, received an additional 24-year prison sentence for child abuse related to an incident in Arizona where he transported young girls in a trailer without proper ventilation. Bateman, who is already serving a 50-year federal prison term for coercing minors into sexual activities and planning kidnappings, was found guilty of three child abuse charges following a traffic stop that revealed three girls, aged 11 to 14, inside the trailer. The trailer lacked basic amenities like air conditioning and seat belts, with authorities alerted after observing small fingers protruding through gaps in the doors.
During the sentencing, Judge Joshua Steinlage emphasized the severe risk the girls faced in the trailer and ordered Bateman to serve the state sentence after completing his federal punishment. Bateman, representing himself, expressed remorse but did not request leniency. Victims of his abuse refuted his claims of innocence, with one victim detailing the emotional distress she endured, stating that Bateman had exploited her at a young age, robbing her of her childhood.
Bateman, who professed to have numerous “spiritual wives,” including minors, had a network spanning multiple states. His sect, an offshoot of a larger polygamous group once led by Warren Jeffs, practiced polygamy despite mainstream LDS Church prohibitions. Bateman, a close associate of Jeffs, was featured in a Netflix series focusing on his actions as a false prophet.
The ruling was hailed as a step towards holding Bateman accountable for his crimes and ensuring the safety of children. The influence of the polygamous sect has declined in the towns where it was historically prevalent, with court intervention leading to the removal of the church from local governance. The towns have since progressed significantly, with sect members constituting only a small portion of the population.
For immediate assistance or to report concerns of abuse, contact local crisis lines or services through the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.
