Polygamous Sect Leader Faces Sentencing for Child Abuse Charges in Northern Arizona
A leader of a polygamous sect in northern Arizona is facing sentencing for child abuse charges related to transporting girls in a trailer without proper ventilation. Samuel Bateman, already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for child sex crimes, was found guilty of three child abuse counts after three girls, aged 11 to 14, were discovered in the unventilated trailer during a traffic stop in Flagstaff in August 2022. The trailer lacked basic amenities like air conditioning and seat belts, prompting authorities to intervene. The case highlights the ongoing legal troubles faced by individuals involved in polygamous sects in the region.