2023-05-25 22:51:40
PHOENIX – A polygamous cult leader and some of his followers have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to travel across Arizona state lines and obtain “handcuffs” for him, federal authorities confirmed Thursday.
A federal grand jury on Wednesday returned an additional indictment against Samuel Rappylee Bateman, 47, of Colorado City, Arizona, and 10 of his supporters.
Authorities accuse Bateman of marrying more than 20 wives, including 10 girls under the age of 18.
Bateman, who traveled extensively between Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska, allegedly had sexual relations with the underage girls on a regular basis.
The indictment with the new charges also alleges that Bateman produced child pornography content.
According to authorities, in late November 2020, Bateman coordinated a group sexual activity in a Colorado Springs hotel room with some of his followers, and that included underage girls.
Bateman was arrested last year and remains in federal custody pending his trial, which is scheduled for March 5, 2024. He was previously charged with kidnapping, child abuse and evidence tampering, and has pleaded not guilty.
Bateman and three of his 10 followers accused in the newly filed charges are scheduled to be arraigned Friday in federal court in Phoenix.
Authorities said five others would appear in court Thursday in St. George, Utah, while one woman is in custody awaiting trial in Phoenix and another awaits a May 30 detention hearing in Flagstaff, Arizona.
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