PHOENIX (AP) -- A polygamist religious leader who claimed more than 20 spiritual "wives" including 10 underage girls was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday for coercing girls as young as 9 years old to submit to criminal sex acts with him and other adults, and for scheming to kidnap them from protective custody.
Samuel Bateman, whose small group was an offshoot of the sect once led by Warren Jeffs, had pleaded guilty to a yearslong scheme to transport girls across state lines for his sex crimes, and later to kidnap some of them from protective custody.
Under the agreement, Bateman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit transportation of a minor for sexual activity, which carries a sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment, and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which is punishable by up to life imprisonment. He was sentenced to 50 years on each count, to be served concurrently.
The rest of the charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.
"You should not have the opportunity to be free and never have the opportunity to be around young women," Brnovich told Bateman, noting that for a nearly 49-year-old man the 50-year sentence was effectively a life sentence.
"You took them from their homes, from their families band made them into sex slaves," the judge said. "You stripped them of their innocence and childhood."
After the sentencing, the teens hugged and wept quietly. They were escorted out by members wearing jackets with "Bikers Against Child Abuse."
The alleged practice of sect members sexually abusing girls who they claim as spiritual "wives" has long plagued the FLDS. Jeffs was convicted in Texas in 2011 involving sexual assaults of his underage followers. Bateman declared himself a "prophet" like Jeffs but was denounced by Jeffs in prison.
In 2019 and 2020, insisting that polygamy brings exaltation in heaven and acting on orders from the "Heavenly Father," Bateman began taking female adults and children from his male followers as his "wives." None were legally recognized marriages but marked illicit sexual contact beginning with each claim.
Batemans demanded public confessions for indiscretions imposing punishments ranging from public shaming to coerced sexual activity.
Bateman traveled extensively between Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska coercing underage girls into criminal activities. Recordings transmitted via electronic devices crossed state lines according authorities in Arizona.
Batemans plea agreement included restitution up $1 million per victim forfeiting all assets contingent co-defendants pleading guilty too.
- Seven adult wives convicted related coercion impeding investigation
- An upcoming trial scheduled January regarding kidnappings