The story of a dangerous cult did not end when one leader went to prison. Instead, it continued in a new and disturbing way with Samuel Bateman.
Netflix’s ‘Trust Me: The False Prophet‘ follows the rise and fall of Samuel Bateman after Warren Jeffs. The series shows how he gained power, what crimes he committed, and where he is now after everything was exposed.
How Samuel Bateman Emerged After Warren Jeffs
The series first looks back at Warren Jeffs, who led the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints, also known as FLDS. This group had around 10,000 members and was based in Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah.
However, his control ended when he was sentenced to life in prison. He was found guilty of forcing underage girls into so-called spiritual marriages and fathering a child with one of them.
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Even after his imprisonment, the belief system persisted. Soon after, Samuel Bateman stepped forward. He claimed to be the rightful successor to Jeffs. As a result, he created a smaller group of about 50 followers. Although this group was separate from the FLDS, it followed similar extreme ideas.
The series ‘Trust Me: The False Prophet‘ by Rachel Dretzin has used real footage recorded by cult researcher Christine Marie and her husband, videographer Tolga Katas. At first, they wanted to show what happened after Jeffs went to prison. However, they soon discovered serious abuse inside Bateman’s group. As a result, their work became an investigation of his actions.
The Crimes That Exposed Bateman’s Control
As the series continues, it shows how Bateman built trust and controlled his followers. The series ‘Trust Me: The False Prophet‘ by Rachel Dretzin has used real footage recorded by cult researcher Christine Marie and her husband, videographer Tolga Katas.
At first, they wanted to show what happened after Jeffs went to prison. However, they soon discovered serious abuse inside Bateman’s group. As a result, their work became an investigation of his actions.
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Investigators found that Bateman had around 20 “wives.” Many of them were underage girls. In addition, members of his own family said that he even tried to marry his teenage daughter. He admitted that he had regular sexual relations with child brides. He also told adult women to train younger girls to satisfy him.
Furthermore, he organized events called “atonement ceremonies.” These were actually group sexual activities involving his wives. In one shocking case, he livestreamed sexual activity involving a minor to his followers. According to prosecutors, he treated his child brides like property and controlled every part of their lives.
Where Is Samuel Bateman After His Arrest?
Bateman’s story took a major turn in 2022. Police stopped him near Flagstaff, Arizona, while he was driving with a trailer. Inside the trailer, officers found basic items and three girls aged 11 to 14. Someone had reported the situation after seeing small fingers reaching through the trailer door.
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Later, the FBI said there was strong evidence that Bateman and his followers had trafficked minors across different states. These states included Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Nebraska. The purpose was sexual exploitation.
Soon after, officers removed nine children from his home in Colorado City. However, the situation became even more serious when eight of those children went missing from foster care in Arizona. They were later found in Washington State, traveling with one of Bateman’s adult wives. Bateman later admitted that he was involved in this kidnapping plan.
Finally, in December 2024, Samuel Bateman was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He was found guilty of conspiracy to transport a minor for sexual activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Today, he remains in prison.
Meanwhile, ‘Trust Me: The False Prophet‘ offers viewers a clear, unsettling look at how he gained power, controlled his followers, and was eventually brought to justice.
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