Member of polygamous sect admits to orchestrating sexual acts with children

Moroni Johnson, a businessman, pleaded guilty to conspiring with the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border to transport underage girls across state lines to engage in sexual acts involving children. This conspiracy between Johnson and the sect’s leader, Samuel Bateman, occurred over a three-year period ending in September 2022. Bateman, who has created a network spanning at least four states, is accused of practicing polygamy and having taken over 20 wives, including 10 girls under the age of 18. He allegedly gave wives as gifts to his male followers on orders from the “Heavenly Father” and traveled extensively to have sex with minor girls.

Bateman was arrested in August 2022 after three girls between the ages of 11 and 14 were found in a trailer in Flagstaff with no ventilation. After being released on bond, he was arrested again the following month and charged with obstructing justice in a federal investigation. At that time, nine children were removed from his home in Colorado City and placed in foster care, but eight of them later escaped. The FBI alleged that three of Bateman’s adult wives were involved in helping the girls escape and were found hundreds of miles away in Washington state. Bateman has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges, including conspiracy to transport a minor for sexual activity and conspiracy to kidnap the girls who were placed in state child welfare after his arrest.

Four of Bateman’s adult wives pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tampering with an official proceeding, acknowledging that they witnessed Bateman engage in sexual acts with his child brides and participated in the plot to kidnap the eight escaped girls from state custody. Charges are also pending against four other women identified as Bateman’s wives and two male followers who are charged with using a means of interstate commerce to coerce minors into sexual activity. These individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are awaiting trial, currently scheduled for September 10.

The FBI reported that Bateman demanded public confessions from his followers for any indiscretions and claimed to be carrying out punishments on orders from the Lord. Johnson, pressured by Bateman to atone for not treating him as a prophet, was involved in transporting girls across state lines for sexual activity. The girls were sometimes recorded engaging in sexual activity with Bateman, which was transmitted across state lines via electronic devices. Bateman remains in jail until his trial is resolved, while his attorney, Myles Schneider, did not comment on the case when contacted. The case highlights the disturbing actions and allegations involving Bateman and his followers, shedding light on the exploitation of underage girls within a polygamous sect and the legal repercussions facing those involved.