Please note that this article discusses sexual abuse.
Netflix's latest documentary, Trust Me: The False Prophet, follows cult expert Christine Marie and her videographer husband, Tolga Katas, as they relocate to Utah to support a fractured community still reeling from the imprisonment of Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). What they uncover, however, is far more sinister: Samuel Bateman, Jeff's self-proclaimed successor, quietly running a deeply disturbing operation.
Across four gripping episodes, the documentary charts Bateman’s rise and eventual downfall. Gaining his trust, Marie and Katas get close enough to expose the truth behind his actions, revealing a chilling story of manipulation, control and abuse. It’s a harrowing watch, made all the more shocking by the sheer audacity of his crimes.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bateman and the atrocities he committed.
This will be the Welsh singer's first in-depth interview about her traumatic experience.
Who is Samuel Bateman?
Samuel Bateman positioned himself as the self-proclaimed heir to Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a Mormon breakaway group in which some members practise polygamy. Jeffs was convicted in Texas in 2011 on charges related to the sexual assault of underage followers.
According to authorities, Bateman, 48, attempted to establish his own offshoot of the FLDS within the neighbouring communities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah.
Between 2019 and 2020, he told followers that polygamy was essential for exaltation in heaven and claimed he was acting on instructions from a “Heavenly Father.” Under this belief system, he began taking adult women and children from the families of his male followers and designating them as his “wives,” according to his plea agreement. While none of these unions was legally or formally recognised, Bateman admitted that each designation marked the beginning of sexual contact.
Federal investigators later stated that Bateman had more than 20 “spiritual wives,” including 10 who were under the age of 18.
Authorities also said Bateman enforced strict control over his followers, requiring public confessions for perceived wrongdoing and imposing punishments that ranged from humiliation to coerced sexual acts. In some cases, male followers were told to atone by surrendering their wives and daughters to him.
Prosecutors further alleged that Bateman travelled between Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska, where he coerced underage girls into sexual activity. Recordings of some of these crimes were transmitted across state lines via electronic devices, according to the US Attorney’s Office in Arizona.
Did Samuel Bateman get convicted?
Bateman was arrested in August 2022 after state police stopped him near Flagstaff while he was towing a trailer. Authorities had been alerted after someone reported seeing small fingers reaching through the slats of the door. Inside the poorly ventilated trailer, officers discovered a makeshift toilet, a sofa, camping chairs, and three girls aged between 11 and 14.
Although he initially posted bond, he was soon rearrested, this time accused of obstructing justice in a federal investigation into the transportation of minors across state lines. Authorities also removed nine children from his home in Colorado City, placing them into protective custody.
The documentary tells how eight of the children later disappeared from foster care in Arizona and were found hundreds of miles away in Washington state, travelling in a vehicle driven by one of Bateman’s adult “wives.” Bateman later admitted his role in the kidnapping plot.
In 2024, Bateman pleaded guilty to a years-long scheme involving the transportation of minors for sexual exploitation, as well as conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Under the plea agreement, he admitted to one count of conspiracy to transport a minor for sexual activity — which carries a sentence of 10 years to life — and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, also punishable by up to life imprisonment. Additional charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.
He was ultimately sentenced to 50 years on each count, to be served concurrently, effectively a life sentence.
During sentencing, US District Judge Susan Brnovich made the gravity of his crimes clear.
“You should not have the opportunity to be free and never have the opportunity to be around young women,” Brnovich told Bateman. “You took them from their homes, from their families and made them into sex slaves. You stripped them of their innocence and childhood.”
Where is Samuel Bateman now?
Bateman is currently serving what is effectively a life sentence in prison and is unlikely to be released.
Seven of his adult “wives” have also been convicted of offences related to coercing children into sexual activity or obstructing the investigation into his crimes. Some admitted to pressuring girls to become Bateman’s so-called “spiritual wives,” while others witnessed the abuse or were involved in efforts to remove children from foster care.
In the documentary, Moretta and Nomz were specifically mentioned as being incarcerated for their role in the kidnapping.
Bateman’s underage victims were placed into foster care. Several attended his sentencing, where they were seen embracing and crying — visibly relieved at the outcome — though they did not make public statements.
Trust Me: The False Prophet is streaming on Netflix.
For more information about reporting and recovering from rape and sexual abuse, you can contact Rape Crisis on 0808 500 2222.
If you have been sexually assaulted, you can find your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre here. You can also find support at your local GP, voluntary organisations such as Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, and Victim Support, and you can report it to the police (if you choose) here.
