14-Year-Old Victim of Samuel Bateman Reveals Loss of Identity and Family Ties

Federal authorities have detailed the extensive impact of Samuel Bateman’s actions, stating that his crimes “impacted an entire community and tore numerous families apart.”

Bateman, self-proclaimed “prophet” of a fundamentalist group, assumed leadership after the imprisonment of Warren Jeffs. Jeffs had previously enforced a controversial edict that invalidated existing marriages and halted new ones during his incarceration.

Following his rise to power, Bateman engaged in heinous activities, including the solicitation of underage wives. He now faces a potential prison sentence of 30 to 50 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges involving the transportation of a minor for criminal sexual activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a memorandum advocating for the maximum sentence. “The only appropriate sentence here under the plea is 50 years’ imprisonment,” the memorandum stated. It highlighted the severe emotional and physical trauma inflicted on his nine named victims.

One victim, who was just 14 years old when she was given to Bateman, described in an impact statement how he devastated her life. Court documents reveal her struggles with identity, education, and health stemming from her experiences.

Authorities have revealed disturbing details about Bateman’s personal life, alleging he accumulated over 20 wives, including ten girls under 18. His network extended through at least four states, as he attempted to establish an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

His group practiced polygamy, influenced by teachings from a church that officially disavowed the practice in 1890. Bateman and his followers believed this lifestyle secured divine favor and exaltation in the afterlife.

In August 2022, Arizona state police arrested Bateman after discovering three girls, aged 11 to 14, crammed into a trailer with minimal facilities. He was released on bond but was quickly rearrested on charges of obstructing justice related to an investigation into the illegal transportation of minors.

Authorities subsequently rescued nine children from Bateman’s home. Reports indicated that several of his adult wives played roles in smuggling these children out of state. The FBI later located some of them in Washington, significantly altering their lives and putting them in danger.

Bateman reportedly distributed wives among male followers, claiming to act on divine orders. Investigators cite evidence of regular sexual encounters with underage girls and suggest that some activities involved recorded transmissions between states.

Charged with numerous counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice, Bateman ultimately pleaded guilty. As part of a plea agreement, he faces imprisonment for a substantial term.

Alongside Bateman, several individuals linked to his activities have also faced legal repercussions. Notably, a businessman and four of Bateman’s wives have pleaded guilty to their involvement in this criminal enterprise.

The FBI has disclosed additional disturbing practices employed by Bateman, including public confessions and punishments directed at his followers, further illustrating the systematic abuse prevalent within his leadership structure.