A polygamist religious leader and self-proclaimed prophet of a sect faces life in prison. Samuel Bateman claimed to have more than 20 spirit "wives", including 10 underage girls.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty in Arizona to forcing nine-year-old girls to undergo sexual acts with him and other adults. He also admitted that for years he had planned the girls' trips across state lines for his sex crimes and kidnapped some of them.
In 2019 and 2020, insisting that polygamy brought exaltation in heaven and saying he was acting on orders from "Heavenly Father", Bateman began advertising his wives and little girls to his followers. Additionally, federal agents said Bateman imposed punishments on his "followers" ranging from public shaming to sexual activity, including requiring some followers to atone for their "sins" by handing over their wives and daughters.
Bateman was arrested in August 2022 while driving through the city of Flagstaff, Arizona, pulling a trailer with three girls, ages 11 to 14. He posted bail but was quickly arrested again, charged with obstruction of justice in a federal investigation into transporting children across the border for sex.
Seven of Bateman's adult "wives" were convicted of crimes related to forcing children into sexual activity or obstructing investigations into the 48-year-old. Some also admitted to forcing the girls to become Bateman's spirit "wives", testifying that Bateman engaged in sexual activity with the girls and engaged in illicit group sex with the children. (A2 Televizion)
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