FBI: Polygamous commander got 20 wives, many of them minors
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The leader off a little polygamous group nearby the Washington-Utah border got removed at the least 20 spouses, many of them minors, and you will penalized followers which failed to treat him just like the a good prophet, freshly recorded federal documents allege.
Samuel Bateman try an old person in this new Fundamentalist Church out-of Goodness Christ off Second-Big date New orleans saints, or FLDS, up to he remaining to start his own quick offshoot class. He had been supported economically by the male followers who also gave up their spouses and kids getting Bateman’s wives, according to an enthusiastic FBI affidavit.
New file submitted Monday provides the understanding of just what detectives enjoys utilized in a case one to first became public inside August, when government said they stopped Bateman towards a highway and you can located he was driving around three young girls when you look at the a shut trailer.
The processing accompanied charge off kidnapping and you will blocking a predictable prosecution against about three off Bateman’s spouses – Naomi Bistline, Donnae Barlow and Moretta Flower Johnson.