Samuel Bateman Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes and Kidnapping in FLDS Offshoot Case

The polygamist sect leader admitted to transporting minors for sex and orchestrating their kidnapping, facing 20 to 50 years in prison.

Samuel Bateman, leader of a Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offshoot, pleaded guilty to transporting young girls across state lines for sex and kidnapping.
Bateman confessed to taking underage girls as brides, engaging in sexual activity with them, and arranging orgies involving his child brides.
The plea agreement, entered in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, recommends a sentence between 20 and 50 years, with sentencing scheduled for July 15.
Bateman and some followers financially supported the group by offering their wives and daughters to be his wives, with more than 20 wives, at least 10 under the age of 18.
Several of Bateman's followers have also pleaded guilty to related crimes, with others still facing charges and potential trial dates.