A&E show “Secrets of Polygamy,” tells the stories of a world of polygamous group survivors who have come forward with courage. Dive into the story as reporter Matt Browning finds out about the FLDS Leaders and other fundamentalist groups’ dark secrets and abuse. One of the leaders is Samuel Bateman. tvacute discusses her past and her current status.
Who is Samuel Bateman?
Samuel Rappylee Bateman, who is 47 years old and from Colorado City, Arizona, is said to be the self-proclaimed leader of a group that split off from the FLDS. As an example of how power works in these close-knit societies, Bateman claimed to be the new leader after supposedly convincing followers that Jeffs had died. When Bateman became powerful, it was a troubling turn in the long history of polygamous behavior in these areas.
Bateman’s past shows that he used to be a part of FLDS, a split-off group from the main Mormon church until he chose to start his split-off group. This was the first step on his path to becoming a powerful leader who guided his followers’ lives according to what he said was divine will.
Samuel Bateman’s Wives
Samuel Bateman had several wives, some of whom are said to be minors. According to court papers, Bateman gained followers from several states, such as Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, where he is said to have sex with minor girls without their permission.
The indictment against Bateman lists charges linked to a plot to cross state lines to find more “wives” for Bateman. The paper shockingly says that ten of these wives were younger than 18 years old. The indictment also says that Bateman set up a system where his male followers gave up their girls to marry Bateman’s children.
In September 2022, Samuel Bateman was charged with federal crimes, such as destroying records, interfering with official business, and destroying records during a federal probe. Bateman was charged with more crimes in a Second Superseding Indictment that was made public in May 2023. The new charges include making child pornography, conspiring to transport a minor for sexual activity that is against the law, and conspiring to cross state lines to participate in sexual activity with a minor that is against the law.
Where is FDLS Leader Samuel Bateman Now?
Samuel Bateman is still being held by the federal government while he waits to be tried for the many charges that have been made against him. Bateman is being held in jail on 51 federal charges after his Colorado City sites were raided in September 2022. Among the federal crimes he is being charged with are conspiracy to transport a minor for sexual behavior that is illegal, making child pornography, and tampering with witnesses.
Some of his fans, like Naomi Bistline, Donnae Barlow, and Moretta Rose Johnson, are also being held and will have to go to court. Together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona, the Phoenix Field Office of the FBI is still on the case and investigating it. Even though the case is still going on.
