Stolen Innocence Part 3: The False Prophet & His Disturbing Cult
In December 2021, journalist Mike Watkiss met Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed FLDS prophet, in a Phoenix park, where Bateman showcased a group of women and girls singing hymns. Bateman claimed to be divinely guided and displayed wealth, but Watkiss reported the encounter to authorities, suspecting criminal activity. By August 2022, Bateman was arrested in Flagstaff with underage girls found in unsanitary conditions, leading to charges of sex trafficking. Family members affected by Bateman’s influence expressed their grief and desire for stringent punishment. Despite Bateman’s imprisonment, concerns remain about his enduring influence over his followers, who continue to live with children in secluded communities.
In December 2021, journalist Mike Watkiss met Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed FLDS prophet, in a Phoenix park, where Bateman showcased a group of women and girls singing hymns. Bateman claimed to be divinely guided and displayed wealth, but Watkiss reported the encounter to authorities, suspecting criminal activity. By August 2022, Bateman was arrested in Flagstaff with underage girls found in unsanitary conditions, leading to charges of sex trafficking. Family members affected by Bateman’s influence expressed their grief and desire for stringent punishment. Despite Bateman’s imprisonment, concerns remain about his enduring influence over his followers, who continue to live with children in secluded communities.
