Samuel Bateman, a polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for child sex abuse, was convicted in Arizona on state child abuse charges. The case stemmed from a 2022 traffic stop in Flagstaff, where authorities found three girls, ages 11 to 14, locked inside an unventilated trailer Bateman was towing. The trailer contained a makeshift toilet, a sofa, and camping chairs.
A Coconino County jury found Bateman guilty on three counts of child abuse after about 40 minutes of deliberation. Each count carries a mandatory prison term of four to eight years, with sentencing scheduled for August 25. Prosecutors argued that Bateman knowingly endangered the girls by transporting them in a cargo trailer without proper ventilation during hot conditions.
Bateman, who represented himself at trial, denied intending to harm the girls. He acknowledged the trailer was poorly ventilated but claimed he trusted his driving skills and prayed for safety. He also stated he believed the girls had exited the trailer before the police stop.
The case is part of a broader legal battle for Bateman, who was previously convicted in a federal case involving coercing minors into sex acts and attempting to kidnap girls from protective custody. He has claimed to have had over 20 'spiritual wives,' including underage girls.