Warren Jeffs and Samuel Bateman: A Tale of Polygamous Prophets
Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the FLDS Church in northern Arizona, was sentenced to life in prison for heinous sex crimes against children. Now, his dark legacy may unravel further as he is called as a witness in the federal trial involving his self-proclaimed successor, Samuel Bateman.
Jeffs, currently serving his sentence in a Texas prison, abused young children while in control of the polygamous FLDS church. With over 70 wives and his grip on the towns of Hilldale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, Jeffs wielded power with impunity.
Samuel Bateman, another self-proclaimed polygamous prophet of the FLDS, stepped into Jeffs’ shoes following his conviction. However, Bateman’s reign was short-lived as he too faced arrest and accusations of exploiting children. A federal indictment revealed that Bateman had child brides as young as nine years old.
While Bateman struck a plea deal earlier this year, two of his followers, LaDell Bistline, Jr. and Torrance Bistline, are set to stand trial in early September, shedding light on the dark and disturbing practices within the cult.
The twisted web of abuse and control woven by Jeffs and Bateman extends beyond state lines, with allegations of child trafficking and sexual exploitation surfacing. Bateman’s arrest in 2022 revealed a grotesque reality, with young girls found in dire conditions in a trailer, and later, accusations of obstructing justice in a federal investigation.
Jeffs, Bateman, and their followers may have believed in the twisted doctrine of polygamy leading to exaltation, but their actions paint a different picture—one of exploitation, manipulation, and abuse.
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