Convicted Polygamist Leader Sentenced Again

A polygamous sect leader convicted of child abuse is now facing new charges after girls as young as nine were found trapped in a trailer he was hauling through Arizona — a scene prosecutors say was both cruel and preventable. Already serving a 50-year federal sentence for similar crimes, Samuel Bateman, who claimed to have over 20 “spiritual wives,” including minors, insists he never harmed those he loved — even as he admitted he knew the trailer was dangerously hot and poorly ventilated. Once part of Warren Jeffs’ network, Bateman built his own offshoot church, traveling widely to recruit and control young girls. His convictions expose the lingering dangers of fundamentalist groups that continue to exploit vulnerable children, even as some communities they once dominated are now released from court supervision. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5bcb4a2cb3da052b