Prophet Sentenced: 24 Years for Child Abuse

Samuel Bateman, a prominent figure in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, received a 24-year prison sentence on August 22, 2026, for three counts of child abuse. This sentence is to be served after his existing 50-year federal sentence, which began in December 2024.

Bateman's state conviction originated from a traffic stop in August 2022. Authorities discovered three girls, aged 11 to 14, confined within a closed, unventilated cargo trailer being towed by Bateman. His arrest followed a September 2022 raid on his Colorado City, Arizona, home, where nine girls were rescued and placed under state care.

The federal charges against Bateman, to which he pleaded guilty in early 2024, included conspiracy to transport a minor for criminal sexual activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. A federal judge described the victims, whom Bateman referred to as "child brides," as "sex slaves."

Bateman declared himself a prophet in 2019, asserting divine messages to marry his own daughter. He amassed followers, taking their daughters and spouses as his "wives," some of whom were minors. By 2022, he had about 50 followers and 22 "wives."