Polygamous Leader with 20 ‘Wives’ Set for Sentencing Over Disturbing Child Sex Crimes

Samuel Bateman, a polygamous religious leader, has pleaded guilty to running a scheme that involved transporting young girls across state lines for sexual exploitation. His actions included attempts to kidnap minors from protective custody.

Bateman, 48, who claimed more than 20 spiritual “wives,” including several underage girls, is slated for sentencing on Monday. He faces a potential 20 to 50 years in prison under a plea agreement; however, each of his convictions could result in life sentences.

Before the sentencing, a federal judge will assess Bateman’s mental competency. Depending on this evaluation, Bateman may be remanded to state custody for psychiatric treatment instead of proceeding with sentencing, as noted by his attorney, Brian Russo.

Authorities indicate that Bateman is connected to an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). This group emerged after the main church formally renounced polygamy in 1890. Bateman previously followed Warren Jeffs, a notorious figure within FLDS, later declaring himself a prophet. Jeffs publicly denounced Bateman, yet the latter continued to pursue his own sect.

From 2019 to 2020, Bateman forcibly took both adult women and children from male followers, declaring them his “wives.” Although these “marriages” lacked legal validity, they initiated sexual abuse. His followers were coerced into confessing their faults and subjected to severe punishments, which included depriving them of their own family members.

Federal agents have documented Bateman’s extensive travels between multiple states, during which he coerced young girls into sexual acts. Some incidents involved recorded evidence transmitted electronically across state borders. His arrest occurred in August 2022 after police discovered three girls, aged 11 to 14, trapped inside a poorly ventilated trailer without adequate facilities.

After posting bail, Bateman faced further charges for obstructing justice amid an ongoing investigation into the transportation of minors for sexual purposes. Authorities intervened again, removing nine children from Bateman’s home. Notably, eight of those children later escaped from care in Arizona, making their way to Washington state.

Bateman’s plea agreement also hinges on the guilty pleas of his co-defendants, who may be liable for restitution up to $1 million per victim, alongside forfeiture of all assets. Seven of Bateman’s adult “wives” have already faced legal repercussions for their roles in the crimes, with one upcoming trial scheduled for January 14.

In related cases, two of Bateman’s associates are set to be sentenced later this month. They were found guilty of similar charges, including travel across state lines to engage minors in sexual activity.

Defendants in this case have reported traumatic backgrounds linked to their religious upbringing, which normalized abusive practices. One represented themself as having been manipulated into becoming Bateman’s “wife,” while another described being treated as property.