Samuel Rappylee Bateman, Illicit Sexual Conduct with Minors, Arizona 2023

Leader of Polygamist Sect Charged with Illicit Sexual Conduct with Minors

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Samuel Rappylee Bateman, 47, of Colorado City, Arizona, has been indicted on charges relating to a years-long conspiracy to travel across state lines in order to amass ‘wives’ for Bateman, including minor girls.

The Second Superseding Indictment alleges that Bateman, the self-proclaimed leader of a polygamist sect in Colorado City, Arizona, began amassing ‘wives’ from among his followers in several states. In order to claim these ‘wives’—10 of whom were under the age of 18—Bateman travelled extensively between Nebraska, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona.

Bateman is charged with conspiracy to transport a minor for criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to travel across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, using a means of interstate commerce to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity, and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.

The Second Superseding Indictment also charges Bateman with production of child pornography, alleging that in late November 2020, Bateman coordinated group sexual activity in a hotel room in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with some of his followers, including minor girls. Bateman is alleged to have then coordinated a video call to a follower in Colorado City, Arizona, in which the video participants, including a minor, were naked.

Bateman was previously charged federally by Indictment in September 2022 with destruction of records in an official proceeding, tampering with an official proceeding, and destruction of records in a federal investigation. A First Superseding Indictment was returned by the federal grand jury in December 2022, adding charges against Bateman and adding three co-conspirators—Naomi Bistline, Donnae Barlow, and Moretta Rose Johnson—on charges of tampering with an official proceeding and conspiracy to tamper with an official proceeding, as well as kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Bateman’s charges carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The case is ongoing, and Bateman is presumed innocent until evidence is presented.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented in court.

The Second Superseding Indictment includes charges for obstructive conduct lasting into at least March 2023. Bateman is charged with witness tampering, while Josephine Barlow Bistline is charged with attempted obstruction of a criminal prosecution, making interstate threats, and cyberstalking arising out of threatening conduct toward employees of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.

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