Polygamous Sect Leader Sentenced to 50 Years for Child Sex Crimes and Kidnapping

Samuel Bateman, leader of an FLDS offshoot, admitted to coercing underage girls and orchestrating their abduction from protective custody.

Samuel Bateman, 48, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to transporting minors for sexual activity and conspiracy to kidnap children from foster care.
Bateman led a splinter group of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), claiming more than 20 spiritual 'wives,' including 10 underage girls.
He coerced followers to surrender their wives and daughters, imposed punishments, and engaged in criminal sexual acts with minors, often recording and transmitting the crimes across state lines.
The case involved multiple co-defendants, including seven women who were convicted of facilitating Bateman’s crimes or obstructing the investigation.
Victims, now living with foster families, described lasting trauma in court, while the plea agreement includes up to $1 million in restitution per victim and asset forfeiture.