Arizona cult leader from polygamist sect took 20 'wives' including girl aged 9, FBI says

[Eugene]

Original reporting: Polygamous leader Samuel Bateman had 20 wives, according to FBI (Salt Lake Tribune)

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Source: Insider

Arizona cult leader from polygamist sect took 20 'wives' including girl aged 9, FBI says

Sinéad Baker,Natalie Musumeci
Mon, December 5, 2022 at 11:02 AM·2 min read

The FBI said a man in Arizona took a total of 20 "wives," including several girls, one as young as nine.

The claim came in an FBI affidavit filed in federal court on Friday, describing allegations against Samuel Rappylee Bateman, 46.

It described him as a cult leader, who had "approximately 50 followers and over 20 wives, many of whom are minors, mostly under the age of 15."

The document and its contents were first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune. Insider also viewed a copy.

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Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/arizona-cult-leader-polygamist-sect-150247595.html

[LakeArenal]

1. Yuck. Just immoral.

[appalachiablue]

2. Sicko and samo

[Tetrachloride]

3. So the wives were not arrested? Who knew?

[Hugh_Lebowski]

4. Pretty sure you can't get away with LEGALLY marrying 20 people in AZ

I mean, someone would definitely catch on if you're getting all these marriage licenses, even here in the Wild West. Esp. with a bunch of minors.

So I'm pretty sure this whole 'taking a wife' thing is just their own whackadoodle ceremonies or whatever.

Ergo if he's having sex with these girls, under the age of 15 ... their being his so-called 'wives' won't mean shit under the law.

Dude better be in some deep, deep shit, legally, if he's doing so.

OTOH it's possible he 'takes them' but waits until they're of legal age to consummate. Doubtful, but possible.

Not sure exactly what would happen then, since the whole 'taking wives' thing is just made-up bullshit (I would guess).

[Wingus Dingus]

5. Colorado City AZ and nearby areas should just be crawling with state and federal agents,

all the time. Are there any NORMAL not-perv people who live there?