Topline: A federal judge sentenced Sam Bateman in 2024 following a sting operation involving filmmakers acting as informants for the FBI.
Published: April 15, 2026 8:00 am ET
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Sam Bateman (via Netflix)
COLORADO CITY, AZ — A self-proclaimed prophet of a polygamist sect was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and transport a minor for sexual activity.
As per Fox News, Sam Bateman was a former low-level member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He began identifying as a prophet following the life prison sentence handed to the previous leader, Warren Jeffs. According to federal authorities, Bateman claimed more than 20 wives, including children.
The investigation into Bateman began after he established a small following in Colorado City, a town on the border of Arizona and Utah. The community was previously led by Jeffs, who was convicted of child sexual assault in 2011. While Jeffs remained the recognized leader from prison, Bateman claimed to be his spiritual successor.
The downfall of the group is the subject of a Netflix docuseries, “Trust Me: The False Prophet.” The production highlights the work of cult psychology expert Christine Marie and her husband, Tolga Katas. As reported by Fox News, the couple moved to the area in 2016 and eventually became informants for the FBI.
Marie and Katas gained the trust of Bateman by filming him for what he believed was a documentary. During this time, Bateman performed stunts for the camera, such as riding dirt bikes and running through mountain terrain. According to Marie, Bateman used the filming sessions to reveal secrets about his operations.
In these recordings, Bateman confessed to the sexual abuse of his child wives. The footage and information provided by Marie and Katas assisted the FBI in planning a 2022 raid. This raid led to the arrest of Bateman and his subsequent indictment on child sex abuse charges.
The recordings also revealed the scope of Bateman’s ambitions. He stated he intended to govern North America, South America, and England. Bateman expressed a specific fixation on Queen Elizabeth II, according to reporting from PEOPLE.
Bateman reportedly wanted the late monarch to travel to the Utah-Arizona border to become one of his wives. He requested that Marie help him produce a music video featuring his other wives to impress the queen.
Director Rachel Dretzin told PEOPLE that Bateman’s behavior and goals were not an act. “I think Sam honestly is sort of absurd. That stuff was not fake,” Dretzin told PEOPLE. “That’s really who this guy is.”
The sentencing took place in 2024 after Bateman entered a guilty plea. The 50-year term reflects the severity of the conspiracy to kidnap and transport minors across state lines for sexual purposes. Prosecutors argued Bateman used his religious influence to manipulate and exploit his followers.
Marie told PEOPLE that she hopes the case brings attention to how religious predators operate within communities. She noted that such individuals are not limited to isolated towns like Colorado City.
The FLDS community has faced decades of legal scrutiny regarding its practice of polygamy and treatment of minors. Bateman is currently serving his sentence in federal custody.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Polygamist Prophet Sentenced to 50 Years for Child Sex Trafficking
A federal judge sentenced Sam Bateman in 2024 following a sting operation involving filmmakers acting as informants for the FBI.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 15, 2026 8:00 am ET
Sam Bateman (via Netflix)
COLORADO CITY, AZ — A self-proclaimed prophet of a polygamist sect was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and transport a minor for sexual activity.
As per Fox News, Sam Bateman was a former low-level member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He began identifying as a prophet following the life prison sentence handed to the previous leader, Warren Jeffs. According to federal authorities, Bateman claimed more than 20 wives, including children.
The investigation into Bateman began after he established a small following in Colorado City, a town on the border of Arizona and Utah. The community was previously led by Jeffs, who was convicted of child sexual assault in 2011. While Jeffs remained the recognized leader from prison, Bateman claimed to be his spiritual successor.
The downfall of the group is the subject of a Netflix docuseries, “Trust Me: The False Prophet.” The production highlights the work of cult psychology expert Christine Marie and her husband, Tolga Katas. As reported by Fox News, the couple moved to the area in 2016 and eventually became informants for the FBI.
Marie and Katas gained the trust of Bateman by filming him for what he believed was a documentary. During this time, Bateman performed stunts for the camera, such as riding dirt bikes and running through mountain terrain. According to Marie, Bateman used the filming sessions to reveal secrets about his operations.
In these recordings, Bateman confessed to the sexual abuse of his child wives. The footage and information provided by Marie and Katas assisted the FBI in planning a 2022 raid. This raid led to the arrest of Bateman and his subsequent indictment on child sex abuse charges.
The recordings also revealed the scope of Bateman’s ambitions. He stated he intended to govern North America, South America, and England. Bateman expressed a specific fixation on Queen Elizabeth II, according to reporting from PEOPLE.
Bateman reportedly wanted the late monarch to travel to the Utah-Arizona border to become one of his wives. He requested that Marie help him produce a music video featuring his other wives to impress the queen.
Director Rachel Dretzin told PEOPLE that Bateman’s behavior and goals were not an act. “I think Sam honestly is sort of absurd. That stuff was not fake,” Dretzin told PEOPLE. “That’s really who this guy is.”
The sentencing took place in 2024 after Bateman entered a guilty plea. The 50-year term reflects the severity of the conspiracy to kidnap and transport minors across state lines for sexual purposes. Prosecutors argued Bateman used his religious influence to manipulate and exploit his followers.
Marie told PEOPLE that she hopes the case brings attention to how religious predators operate within communities. She noted that such individuals are not limited to isolated towns like Colorado City.
The FLDS community has faced decades of legal scrutiny regarding its practice of polygamy and treatment of minors. Bateman is currently serving his sentence in federal custody.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Polygamist Prophet Sentenced to 50 Years for Child Sex Trafficking
A federal judge sentenced Sam Bateman in 2024 following a sting operation involving filmmakers acting as informants for the FBI.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 15, 2026 8:00 am ET
Sam Bateman (via Netflix)
COLORADO CITY, AZ — A self-proclaimed prophet of a polygamist sect was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to kidnap and transport a minor for sexual activity.
As per Fox News, Sam Bateman was a former low-level member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He began identifying as a prophet following the life prison sentence handed to the previous leader, Warren Jeffs. According to federal authorities, Bateman claimed more than 20 wives, including children.
The investigation into Bateman began after he established a small following in Colorado City, a town on the border of Arizona and Utah. The community was previously led by Jeffs, who was convicted of child sexual assault in 2011. While Jeffs remained the recognized leader from prison, Bateman claimed to be his spiritual successor.
The downfall of the group is the subject of a Netflix docuseries, “Trust Me: The False Prophet.” The production highlights the work of cult psychology expert Christine Marie and her husband, Tolga Katas. As reported by Fox News, the couple moved to the area in 2016 and eventually became informants for the FBI.
Marie and Katas gained the trust of Bateman by filming him for what he believed was a documentary. During this time, Bateman performed stunts for the camera, such as riding dirt bikes and running through mountain terrain. According to Marie, Bateman used the filming sessions to reveal secrets about his operations.
In these recordings, Bateman confessed to the sexual abuse of his child wives. The footage and information provided by Marie and Katas assisted the FBI in planning a 2022 raid. This raid led to the arrest of Bateman and his subsequent indictment on child sex abuse charges.
The recordings also revealed the scope of Bateman’s ambitions. He stated he intended to govern North America, South America, and England. Bateman expressed a specific fixation on Queen Elizabeth II, according to reporting from PEOPLE.
Bateman reportedly wanted the late monarch to travel to the Utah-Arizona border to become one of his wives. He requested that Marie help him produce a music video featuring his other wives to impress the queen.
Director Rachel Dretzin told PEOPLE that Bateman’s behavior and goals were not an act. “I think Sam honestly is sort of absurd. That stuff was not fake,” Dretzin told PEOPLE. “That’s really who this guy is.”
The sentencing took place in 2024 after Bateman entered a guilty plea. The 50-year term reflects the severity of the conspiracy to kidnap and transport minors across state lines for sexual purposes. Prosecutors argued Bateman used his religious influence to manipulate and exploit his followers.
Marie told PEOPLE that she hopes the case brings attention to how religious predators operate within communities. She noted that such individuals are not limited to isolated towns like Colorado City.
The FLDS community has faced decades of legal scrutiny regarding its practice of polygamy and treatment of minors. Bateman is currently serving his sentence in federal custody.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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