Published • loading... • Updated
Sentencing set for polygamous leader convicted of abuse in Arizona after girls discovered in trailer
Bateman faces 4-to-8-year terms on each count after prosecutors said he hauled three girls in a trailer without air conditioning or seat belts.
- On Tuesday, Samuel Bateman, already serving 50 years in federal prison, faces sentencing on Arizona state child abuse convictions stemming from an August 2022 traffic stop in Flagstaff.
- The self-proclaimed prophet led an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints historically associated with Warren Jeffs and previously claimed to have more than 20 'spiritual wives,' including 10 girls under 18.
- Someone reported seeing small fingers reaching through door gaps, alerting authorities to the three girls, ages 11 to 14, hidden in the trailer. Bateman claimed he was 'shocked as could possibly be' when he learned they were inside.
- Each of the three child abuse counts carries a mandatory sentence between four and eight years. A judge will determine whether terms run consecutively or concurrently, significantly affecting his total incarceration length.
- The influence of the polygamous sect in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah, has waned significantly over time. Both towns were released from court-ordered supervision last summer, almost two years earlier than expected.
Insights by Ground AI
20 Articles
20 Articles
Associated Press News+18 Reposted by 18 other sources
Sentencing set for polygamous leader convicted of abuse in Arizona after girls discovered in trailer
A polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating sex involving children is scheduled to be sentenced on separate state convictions.
·New York, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left10Leaning Right2Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Left
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Left
53% Left
L 53%
C 37%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
