Cult leader Samuel Bateman, now serving a 50-year prison sentence for marrying 20 women, some as young as nine, and claiming to be a prophet, maintains control over his followers even in incarceration.
His imprisonment has bolstered his influence, with loyalists viewing him as a martyr, a sentiment reinforced through his interactions with his ‘wives’ via daily calls. Bateman’s journey to power in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is detailed in the Netflix series Trust Me: The False Prophet, featuring real-time footage by cult researcher Christine Marie and videographer Tolga Katas.
Evidence collected by the couple, including recordings of Bateman orchestrating exploitative ceremonies, led to his arrest in 2022. He took advantage of the power vacuum left by the incarceration of former FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, positioning himself as a prophet channeling Jeffs’ teachings.
His followers demonstrated loyalty through various means, including offering their daughters as ‘wives’ to him. Bateman’s coercive tactics extended to forcing victims into sexual activities, involving both adults and children, and orchestrating child sexual abuse for his followers to witness.
Despite his arrest and imprisonment, Bateman continued his abusive behavior, even attempting to intimidate witnesses and engage in explicit conversations with minors while in jail. His manipulation tactics persisted, with his followers attempting to maintain contact despite restrictions.
In 2024, Bateman pleaded guilty to various charges related to sexual abuse and kidnapping, receiving a 50-year prison sentence. Several of his adult ‘wives’ were also convicted for their roles in enabling his crimes, while some former members have broken away from the cult. Experts emphasize the importance of cutting off contact with Bateman to break free from his influence and regain control of their lives.