The severe sentence is a direct result of a plea agreement, as reported by The Associated Press. In this alarming case, Bateman, who claimed to have over 20 spiritual “wives,” with 10 of them being minors, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy related to the transportation of a minor for sexual purposes and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. These admissions highlight the gravity of his actions and the impact on the victims.

As part of his plea deal, Bateman confessed to manipulating multiple children into sexual activities with him and orchestrating encounters between minors and other members of his religious sect. This admission not only reveals the extent of his criminal behavior but also underscores the systemic issues within the group he led.

The first charge he faced carries a potential sentence ranging from 10 years to life, while the second could result in a life sentence. However, the plea agreement established a sentencing range of 20 to 50 years. Ultimately, Bateman received the maximum sentence of 50 years for each count, which will be served concurrently, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes against children.

Bateman led a small religious sect that was an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which was once led by the notorious Warren Jeffs. Currently, Jeffs, 69, is serving a life sentence for various sexual offenses involving underage brides, further emphasizing the dark legacy of this sect and its leaders.

The Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) was established in the early 1900s as a reaction to the LDS Church’s disavowal of polygamy in 1890. It’s important to note that the LDS Church disavows any affiliation with the FLDS, despite their shared historical background prior to the split, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics at play within these communities.

Reportedly, Bateman was a trusted follower of Jeffs according to The Associated Press. Both men declared themselves as “prophets” of the FLDS. However, Jeffs later publicly denounced Bateman in a written “revelation” sent to his followers from prison. Bateman’s own offshoot of the FLDS, which retained the same name, was established in the communities of Colorado City, AZ, and Hildale, UT, located along the state line.

According to his plea agreement, Bateman instructed his followers in 2019 and 2020 that his actions were directed by orders from the “Heavenly Father.” This manipulation led him to take women and young girls from his male followers, claiming them as his “wives,” which is a disturbing aspect of his control over the group.

Although none of these “marriages” were legally recognized or recorded, Bateman admitted to authorities that with each new “union,” he began illicit sexual contact with that adult woman or girl, further highlighting the troubling culture of abuse enshrined within his sect.

Moreover, Bateman compelled his followers to publicly confess their sins, with some male members facing severe punishments, including the surrendering of their wives and daughters to him. This coercive environment fostered a culture of fear and control, enabling his abusive actions.

Attorneys representing several of his “wives,” many of whom are now facing charges related to their involvement in Bateman’s alleged illicit sexual schemes, described aspects of their upbringing within the FLDS. This context is crucial for understanding the systemic nature of the abuse and the indoctrination within such groups, as detailed by The AP.

One individual spoke in court, revealing that she was taught that sexual activities with children were acceptable and that she was deceived into “marrying” Bateman, showcasing the manipulation and exploitation pervasive in these communities. Another claimed she was treated like property, given to Bateman by another man, leaving her feeling completely powerless and devoid of personal agency.

As part of the investigation into Bateman following his initial arrest in August 2022, police discovered that he allegedly traveled across a network of states including Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska. During these travels, he is reported to have coerced underage girls into participating in illegal sexual activities, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona, which noted that 10 of his “wives” were underage, further revealing the extensive nature of his criminal enterprise.

In August 2022, while driving through Flagstaff, Arizona, an alert individual noticed what appeared to be children’s hands reaching through the slats of the door of the trailer he was towing. This alarming sight prompted immediate concern and intervention.

Upon pulling him over, law enforcement officers discovered the trailer contained makeshift living conditions, including a rudimentary bathroom, a couch, camping chairs, and a complete lack of ventilation. Disturbingly, they found three underage girls inside, aged between 11 and 14 years, raising serious red flags about the safety and well-being of these minors.

Following this initial arrest, Bateman managed to post bail but was subsequently taken into custody again for allegedly obstructing justice in a federal investigation concerning the transportation of minors across state lines for sexual exploitation.

After nine children were removed from Bateman’s home following his first arrest, it was discovered that eight of them had been abducted from foster care. Authorities later tracked them down in Washington state, where they had allegedly been transported by one of Bateman’s “wives,” indicating a network of criminal activity aimed at exploiting vulnerable minors.

Bateman confessed to his role in this kidnapping scheme, leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify three additional co-conspirators involved in the crimes. All four individuals were charged with unlawfully removing minors from the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety and fleeing across state lines to evade law enforcement, demonstrating the serious nature of their actions.

All individuals involved were charged with additional crimes such as tampering with an official proceeding and conspiracy to tamper with an official proceeding, alongside kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. This added complexity to Bateman’s previous charges, which included destruction of records in an official proceeding and tampering with evidence in a federal investigation.

Regarding the underage sex trafficking that spanned multiple states, the U.S. Attorney’s Office identified six co-conspirators. Bateman was also charged with producing child pornography related to a video call with a follower from a hotel room, where alleged group sex activities involving at least one nude minor were taking place, revealing the horrific extent of his crimes.

During Bateman’s sentencing, video evidence was presented in court from a couple who secretly filmed his religious group in February 2021 under the pretense of creating a documentary. However, their true intention was to expose suspected abuse. Christine Marie and her husband are affiliated with the nonprofit organization Voices for Dignity, as reported by The Arizona Republic.

Some of this footage depicted Bateman asserting that there was no sin or guilt associated with sexual acts, presenting them instead as “acts of obedience.” Disturbingly, young girls in the recordings were seen crying, expressing pain while insisting there was no wrongness in their experiences, which highlights the deep psychological trauma inflicted on these minors.

“We don’t have a documented faith the way we live; we just do what feels peaceful and good,” Bateman stated in an interview segment filmed by Marie that was shown during his sentencing, according to The Republic. In another video clip, he claimed, “None of these women wanted to marry me,” which raises further questions about consent and manipulation within his sect.

Federal prosecutors outlined the terms of Bateman’s plea agreement, emphasizing that it is contingent on all of his alleged co-conspirators also pleading guilty and includes a restitution payment of $1 million per victim. This reflects the extensive financial and emotional toll inflicted upon the victims as a result of Bateman’s actions.

Seven of Bateman’s “wives” have also been convicted of child sex crimes, with some revealing their involvement in coercing new girls to become his spiritual “wives.” They also recounted witnessing him engage in sexual acts with underage girls and participating in group sex with minors, highlighting the pervasive nature of the abuse within this sect.

Two brothers from Colorado City have likewise been convicted for their roles in the alleged kidnapping and coercion of minors into sexual activity. One of them reportedly purchased Bateman two Bentleys, while the other acquired him a Range Rover. Their sentencing is scheduled for next week, with each facing a potential sentence of 10 years to life, further illustrating the extensive criminal network that supported Bateman’s actions.