52 mins. ago
PHOENIX (AP) — A polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal sentence for orchestrating ***** involving children was given another 24 years in prison Tuesday on separate state convictions for child abuse for hauling girls in an unventilated trailer in Arizona.
Samuel Bateman, 50, was convicted of three child abuse counts stemming from an August 2022 traffic stop in Flagstaff that led to the discovery of three girls, ages 11 to 14, in the trailer. It had a makeshift toilet, sofa and camping chairs and lacked air conditioning and seat belts. Someone tipped off authorities about the trailer after seeing small fingers reaching through gaps in the doors.
Bateman's small group was an offshoot of the polygamous sect once led by Warren Jeffs. Bateman is currently serving 50 years in federal prison for coercing girls as young as 9 to submit to ***** acts with him and other adults and for scheming to kidnap girls from protective custody — the story of which is the focus of the Netflix series, "Trust Me: The False Prophet."
Citing an "insane danger" to the girls in the trailer, among other factors, Judge Joshua Steinlage ordered Bateman to serve the state sentence after completing the 50-year federal sentence.
"I love these dear people with all my heart, and I had no intention in the entire world to harm them," said Bateman, who represented himself in the case and didn't make a plea for leniency during his sentencing hearing.
#girls #polygamous #year
Samuel Bateman, 50, was convicted of three child abuse counts stemming from an August 2022 traffic stop in Flagstaff that led to the discovery of three girls, ages 11 to 14, in the trailer. It had a makeshift toilet, sofa and camping chairs and lacked air conditioning and seat belts. Someone tipped off authorities about the trailer after seeing small fingers reaching through gaps in the doors.
Bateman's small group was an offshoot of the polygamous sect once led by Warren Jeffs. Bateman is currently serving 50 years in federal prison for coercing girls as young as 9 to submit to ***** acts with him and other adults and for scheming to kidnap girls from protective custody — the story of which is the focus of the Netflix series, "Trust Me: The False Prophet."
Citing an "insane danger" to the girls in the trailer, among other factors, Judge Joshua Steinlage ordered Bateman to serve the state sentence after completing the 50-year federal sentence.
"I love these dear people with all my heart, and I had no intention in the entire world to harm them," said Bateman, who represented himself in the case and didn't make a plea for leniency during his sentencing hearing.
#girls #polygamous #year
3 days ago
A Florida couple is being charged with child neglect after allegedly keeping four children confined in the cab of a tractor-trailer for almost seven years without "time to take showers, use the restroom" or "exercise outside," arrest records show.
The children "have not been allowed to attend school for approximately five years," they told interviewers at a child advocacy center, according to an arrest report.
Keisha Epps, 51, and her fiancé, Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, have been living in the cab with the children while Epps works as a truck driver, driving a route between Miami and Atlanta, according to court documents.
Since December 2019, the children were kept inside the vehicle "for the majority of their days."
Polygamous Sect Leader Convicted On State Charges After Girls Found In Unventilated Trailer
#years #arrest #according #Florida
The children "have not been allowed to attend school for approximately five years," they told interviewers at a child advocacy center, according to an arrest report.
Keisha Epps, 51, and her fiancé, Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, have been living in the cab with the children while Epps works as a truck driver, driving a route between Miami and Atlanta, according to court documents.
Since December 2019, the children were kept inside the vehicle "for the majority of their days."
Polygamous Sect Leader Convicted On State Charges After Girls Found In Unventilated Trailer
#years #arrest #according #Florida
1 month ago
Christine Brown shared a video of husband David Woolley retrieving her dropped cup during a mountain visit
Fans praised Woolley in the comments, calling him the loving partner Christine deserves after her past marriage
Christine and David married in October 2023 after her 2021 split from ex Kody Brown and their polygamous marriage
Christine Brown is sharing her appreciation for her husband David Woolley!
The Sister Wives star took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 21, to share the sweet gesture her husband made for her while they were visiting a scenic mountain area.
#brown #husband #marriage
Fans praised Woolley in the comments, calling him the loving partner Christine deserves after her past marriage
Christine and David married in October 2023 after her 2021 split from ex Kody Brown and their polygamous marriage
Christine Brown is sharing her appreciation for her husband David Woolley!
The Sister Wives star took to Instagram on Tuesday, July 21, to share the sweet gesture her husband made for her while they were visiting a scenic mountain area.
#brown #husband #marriage
2 months ago
PHOENIX (AP) — A polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating ****** involving children was convicted Friday on state child abuse charges after girls were found in an unventilated trailer he was hauling through Arizona.
Someone alerted authorities about the trailer in August 2022 after seeing small fingers reaching through gaps in the doors. Police stopped Samuel Bateman's vehicle as he was driving through Flagstaff and found three girls inside, who were ages 11 to 14 at the time. The trailer was enclosed with a makeshift toilet, a sofa and camping chairs.
In the federal case, Bateman was convicted of coercing girls as young as 9 to submit to ****** acts with him and other young adults, and for scheming to kidnap girls from protective custody, the story of which is the focus of a Netflix series, "Trust Me: The False Prophet."
Bateman previously claimed to have more than 20 "spiritual wives," including 10 girls under the age of 18. He testified in his own defense in the state case, telling jurors he would never harm the people he loves. He acknowledged during cross-examination that he knew the girls were in a hot trailer for hours and the ventilation wasn't good, but downplayed the conditions.
"I just trusted myself as a driver," he said. "I asked God to bless me every time we hopped in that vehicle."
Someone alerted authorities about the trailer in August 2022 after seeing small fingers reaching through gaps in the doors. Police stopped Samuel Bateman's vehicle as he was driving through Flagstaff and found three girls inside, who were ages 11 to 14 at the time. The trailer was enclosed with a makeshift toilet, a sofa and camping chairs.
In the federal case, Bateman was convicted of coercing girls as young as 9 to submit to ****** acts with him and other young adults, and for scheming to kidnap girls from protective custody, the story of which is the focus of a Netflix series, "Trust Me: The False Prophet."
Bateman previously claimed to have more than 20 "spiritual wives," including 10 girls under the age of 18. He testified in his own defense in the state case, telling jurors he would never harm the people he loves. He acknowledged during cross-examination that he knew the girls were in a hot trailer for hours and the ventilation wasn't good, but downplayed the conditions.
"I just trusted myself as a driver," he said. "I asked God to bless me every time we hopped in that vehicle."
3 months ago
A progressive Christian denomination is facing sharp internal backlash over a proposed rule that would require ordained clergy to be in monogamous ******* ual relationships.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is set to vote on the monogamy requirement at its General ******* embly this summer in Milwaukee. The measure has sparked fierce debate and outrage from three official progressive church committees and polyamorous church groups, according to Religion News Service.
The PC(USA) has allowed for the ordination of openly gay clergy since 2011 and altered its definition of marriage to "two people" in 2014. The new proposed rule, known as CON-10, does not mention ******* ual orientation or same-sex relationships. Instead, it targets multipartner relationships, arguing that the practice of polyamory or polygamy can create "power imbalances, emotional harm, and spiritual confusion," particularly for women, children and historically marginalized persons.
The rule, submitted by the Sierra Blanca Presbytery, states that PC(USA) pastors must "display moral character" and, "if engaged in any relationship of a ******* ual nature, living in a monogamous one." The rule also asks the church to develop pastoral resources to help people leaving "polyamorous or polygamous situations."
Lgbtq 'Lavender Graduations' Set To Take Place At Major Christian Colleges, Including One With A Drag Show
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is set to vote on the monogamy requirement at its General ******* embly this summer in Milwaukee. The measure has sparked fierce debate and outrage from three official progressive church committees and polyamorous church groups, according to Religion News Service.
The PC(USA) has allowed for the ordination of openly gay clergy since 2011 and altered its definition of marriage to "two people" in 2014. The new proposed rule, known as CON-10, does not mention ******* ual orientation or same-sex relationships. Instead, it targets multipartner relationships, arguing that the practice of polyamory or polygamy can create "power imbalances, emotional harm, and spiritual confusion," particularly for women, children and historically marginalized persons.
The rule, submitted by the Sierra Blanca Presbytery, states that PC(USA) pastors must "display moral character" and, "if engaged in any relationship of a ******* ual nature, living in a monogamous one." The rule also asks the church to develop pastoral resources to help people leaving "polyamorous or polygamous situations."
Lgbtq 'Lavender Graduations' Set To Take Place At Major Christian Colleges, Including One With A Drag Show
