Polygamous Cult Leader Who Took Child Brides Faces Federal Charges

Samuel Bateman, the leader of a polygamous cult, has been accused of coercing underage girls into sexual acts and marriage.
Bateman claimed to have 10 wives, though some were as young as 8 or 9 years old, according to investigators.
Bateman and 10 followers are facing 53 felony counts related to child pornography, witness tampering, and transporting minors across state lines for sex.
The cult originated from a radical offshoot of the Mormon church that still practices polygamy despite the mainstream church banning it decades ago.
Bateman used luxury cars and other gifts to manipulate young girls and their families into allowing him to take them as brides, according to the indictment.