Polygamous Leader Convicted of Child Abuse in Arizona Trailer Case

Samuel Bateman, a leader within a polygamous sect and already serving a lengthy federal prison sentence for child sex abuse, has been convicted on state child abuse charges in Arizona. The verdict stems from an incident in August 2022 when authorities discovered three young girls confined within a poorly ventilated trailer Bateman was towing. A Coconino County jury found Bateman guilty on three counts of child abuse Friday, following approximately 40 minutes of deliberation. He is slated for sentencing on August 25th, with each count carrying a mandatory prison term of four to eight years. The judge will determine if these sentences will be served consecutively or concurrently.

Trailer Incident Sparks State Charges

The case that led to the state charges unfolded in Flagstaff. A concerned witness alerted police after observing what appeared to be children’s fingers protruding from gaps in the doors of the trailer Bateman was hauling. Upon stopping Bateman, officers uncovered three girls, aged 11 to 14 at the time, inside the enclosed space. The trailer was equipped with a rudimentary toilet, a sofa, and camping chairs, but lacked any form of ventilation, raising serious concerns about the conditions the children endured.

Prosecutors Detail Endangerment

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Bateman deliberately endangered the girls by transporting them for extended periods in hot weather within a cargo trailer not designed for human transport. “It’s common sense that you don’t carry people in a trailer designed for cargo on a hot day with no ventilation,” stated prosecutor Eric Ruchensky in his closing arguments to the jury. Bateman, who represented himself at trial with the assistance of appointed advisory counsel, testified in his own defense. He denied any intent to harm the children, though he acknowledged under questioning that the trailer was indeed hot and lacked adequate ventilation. He downplayed the risks, stating, “I just trusted myself as a driver. I asked God to bless me every time we hopped in that vehicle.”

Bateman also claimed he believed the girls had exited the trailer during a stop. He expressed shock upon learning they were still inside when he was eventually pulled over.

Broader Federal Conviction and Background

This Arizona conviction follows Bateman’s earlier federal sentencing. He is currently serving a 50-year federal prison term related to a wider conspiracy involving child abuse and kidnapping. In that federal case, prosecutors presented evidence that Bateman exploited his position as a self-proclaimed prophet to coerce underage girls, some as young as nine, into sexual acts with himself and others. He was also convicted of conspiring to remove girls from protective custody.

The federal case garnered significant public attention and was notably featured in the Netflix series “Trust Me: The False Prophet.” Bateman has publicly stated he had over 20 “spiritual wives,” including several minors. Authorities have identified him as the leader of a splinter religious group with ties to communities along the Arizona-Utah border, areas historically associated with polygamous sects.

Connections to FLDS and Historical Context

Federal investigators indicated that Bateman traveled across Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska, cultivating followers linked to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS). The FLDS church has traditionally been centered in the twin communities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. Notably, Bateman was once considered a close follower of Warren Jeffs, the former FLDS leader who is currently serving a life sentence in Texas for child sexual assault convictions.

The FLDS church adheres to polygamy, a practice rooted in earlier doctrines of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, the mainstream church officially renounced polygamy in 1890 and strictly prohibits the practice today. The influence of the FLDS church in Colorado City and Hildale has reportedly diminished significantly in recent years. Following a 2017 court order that placed the communities under external supervision due to findings of church control over local government and law enforcement, they were released from oversight earlier than anticipated last year, reportedly due to substantial changes in governance and community life.

Conclusion

The conviction of Samuel Bateman on state child abuse charges in Arizona adds another layer to the legal consequences he faces, compounding his existing federal sentence. The case highlights the severe dangers faced by children subjected to neglect and endangerment within isolated communities and underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect vulnerable individuals.