The trial date of an alleged polygamous Arizona cult leader with 20 wives, some of whom are minors and as young as nine, has been pushed back to March to give his lawyer time to prepare.
Samuel Rappylee Bateman, as well as his conspirators, aides, and accomplices, is charged with participating in the transportation of minors in interstate commerce to engage in criminal sexual activity and traveling in interstate commerce to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with minors, between May 2020 and November. 2021, between Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Nebraska.
Samuel Rappylee Bateman, 46, of Colorado City, Arizona, is charged with transporting minors in interstate commerce to engage in criminal sexual activity.
(Coconino County Sheriff’s Office)
Bateman’s wives were allegedly transported across state lines in a trailer, while the self-proclaimed prophet drove two Bentleys while running failed business ventures in real estate and target training.
CULT LEADER ACCUSED OF DRIVING BENTLEY HAS 20 WIVES AS YOUNG AS 9, POSSIBLY MARRIED TO HIS OWN DAUGHTER, FBI ALLEGES
The investigation revealed that on August 28, 2022, Bateman, with aides and accomplices, committed obstruction of justice by destroying records of his illegal actions, according to federal prosecutors.
Bateman has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and evidence tampering charges in a federal investigation into his community, according to a report by Fox station KSAZ in Phoenix.
Three girls embrace before being taken from the home of Samuel Bateman, following his arrest in Colorado City, Ariz., on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Seven were taken from the Bateman home, as well as two others from another home as part of the investigation. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
(Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
While the trial was expected to begin on January 10, 2023, Bateman’s attorney requested more time to prepare. The judge granted more time and the trial is expected to begin on March 14.
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Bateman claims to be a prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FLDS, a subset of fundamentalist Mormon denominations whose members practice polygamy.
Bateman, according to an FBI affidavit included in a criminal complaint against three newly charged accomplices, has nearly 50 followers and more than 20 wives, many of whom are minors, mostly under the age of 15.
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The probable cause affidavit filed in federal court last month by FBI agent Dawn A. Martin alleges that some of Bateman’s wives were wives or daughters of male Bateman supporters. The affidavit also accuses Bateman of attempting to take his own daughter as his wife.
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
