A leader of a polygamous sect, who is already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating the sexual abuse of children, was convicted Friday on Arizona state child abuse charges. The verdict follows an investigation into an August 2022 incident where authorities discovered three young girls trapped inside an unventilated trailer being hauled through Flagstaff.
Details of the 2022 incident
The state charges stem from a discovery made in August 2022, when a passerby alerted authorities to suspicious activity involving a trailer traveling on an Arizona highway. According to AP News reporting, the individual noticed small fingers reaching through gaps in the trailer doors, prompting an investigation.
Discovery of children in trailer
When police intercepted Samuel Bateman’s vehicle as he was driving through Flagstaff, they found three girls inside the unit, aged between 11 and 14 years old at the time of the encounter. The interior of the trailer was described as being equipped with a makeshift toilet, a sofa, and camping chairs.
Bateman's existing federal criminal record
The state trial adds new legal weight to Bateman's existing criminal record. He is currently serving a 50-year federal sentence for crimes that included coercing girls as young as nine years old into sexual acts with him and other young adults, as well as orchestrating schemes to kidnap children from protective custody.
Media coverage of the sect
The details of Bateman's operations and his role as a religious figure have gained wider public attention through the Netflix series, "Trust Me: The False Prophet," which focuses on the kidnapping plots and his influence over the sect.
Defendant's testimony during the trial
During the state trial, Bateman took the stand to testify in his own defense. He told jurors that he would never cause harm to the people he loves.
Admissions made during cross-examination
However, during cross-examination, Bateman admitted that he was aware the girls had been inside the hot trailer for several hours and acknowledged that the ventilation within the unit was poor. Despite this admission, he attempted to downplay the severity of the conditions the children endured while being transported.
Bateman's history within the polygamous community includes claims of maintaining a large number of spiritual wives. He previously asserted that he had more than 20 such wives, and specifically claimed that 10 of those individuals were under the age of 18.
The Friday conviction marks a significant development in the ongoing legal reckoning for Bateman, following years of investigations into his treatment of minors within his religious group.
