Where is Samuel Bateman now? Update after Netflix’s Trust Me: The False Prophet

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Netflix’s new documentary, Trust Me: The False Prophet, centers around Samuel Bateman, who claims to be a prophet within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a group known for practicing polygamy.

The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) gained widespread attention in 2022 with the documentary Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey. The film detailed how its leader, Warren Jeffs, abused his power to control members through harsh rules, forced underage marriages, and sexual abuse of girls and women.

Following Jeffs’ imprisonment in 2011, Christine Marie, an expert in cult psychology, and her husband, Tolga Katas, a videographer, relocated to Short Creek, Utah. They aimed to document the community’s situation and provide support in the aftermath.

Not long after, a new leader emerged, falsely claiming to continue Jeffs’ work. Bateman established himself as a prophet and, like Jeffs, used manipulation and control to lead a group involved in child sexual abuse. Please be aware that the following information is disturbing.

Where is Samuel Bateman now?

Samuel Bateman is currently 50 years old and incarcerated at FCI Tucson, a medium-security federal prison for men in Arizona. He is scheduled to be released on May 5, 2065, but this date is subject to change, according to prison records.

The true crime documentary series shows that Bateman pretended to be a religious leader, falsely telling people that Jeffs had died in prison and chosen him as his successor. Starting in 2019, he gained followers in several states – Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska – and eventually had 20 wives.

Bateman gained the support of several influential men within the FLDS, such as Torrance Bistline, Ladell Bistline Jr., and Moroni Johnson. Starting in 2020, these men began offering him their daughters, many of whom were still children.

Marie explains that Moroni had already sent all of his daughters to live with Sam. This is followed by a troubling recording of Moroni stating, “It’s up to him what he does with them.”

Federal prosecutors in Arizona announced that some of the victims of Bateman were only nine years old. He used manipulation and coercion to make them take part in sexual abuse, both alone and with other adults and children.

He not only provided victims to his adult male followers but also broadcasted a case of child sexual abuse online for their viewing. He further transported minors across state lines to enable these crimes, which continued until his arrest in September 2022.

Even after being arrested, he continued to cause harm, as Marie explains in the Netflix documentary. His followers had been deeply indoctrinated – many had believed he was a prophet their entire lives.

You know, Marie really hit the nail on the head when she talked about groupthink. It’s incredibly strong – almost like everyone’s opinions get stuck together with superglue! It’s so hard to break free and think for yourself when people you care about and admire are all reinforcing the same ideas. It’s like you just go along with it without even realizing it.

I was shocked to learn that even while in jail, Bateman managed to get his followers to kidnap eight kids who were in the care of the state. It happened back in November 2022, and it’s just unbelievable he could pull something like that off from behind bars.

Officials found the children in Spokane, Washington, and each one was placed in a different foster home.

Bateman eventually admitted guilt to federal crimes related to transporting a minor for sexual abuse and kidnapping. In December 2024, he received a 50-year prison sentence.

Jose A. Perez, the head of the FBI’s Phoenix field office, stated that every child deserves to feel safe at home.

Today’s sentencing offers victims a sense of closure and allows them to hopefully move forward with their lives, surrounded by supportive and caring adults.

What happened to the survivors?

Fortunately, the young people who were harmed by Bateman and his group have been rescued after being separated from him. The situation is more difficult for the adult women involved, but three of them – Julia Johnson, Moretta Johnson, and Naomi Bistline – have also escaped.

According to Rachel Dretzin, director of the film Trust Me: The False Prophet, the young people involved have all spoken out against Bateman because they were taken from the group and placed in foster care. This separation from their families and other ‘sister wives’ is the main reason for their opposition.

It was amazing to watch them finally step back and realize what was going on. Once they had some distance from everything, they could finally understand their situation and start talking about it – it was like a huge weight lifted!

According to Dretzin, most of the adults shown in the film still follow Sam Bateman. While all the young people involved have since distanced themselves from him and realized the situation, many of their parents continue to be followers.

But Julia’s story really got to me. She’d been married to Moroni Johnson before, and she was incredibly brave. Even though it put her in danger, she secretly met with Marie and gave evidence against Bateman, helping to bring him down. It was a huge risk she took, and I really admire her for it.

She and her daughter, Moretta Johnson, have both left the FLDS. Nomz, featured in the documentary series, was brought into the group by her guardian, LaDell Jay Bistline, after being in his care for ten years.

Moretta and Nomz were initially devoted followers of Bateman, but they eventually understood what he was truly like and were the only adults among his followers to speak out against him in court. They were arrested for their involvement in the kidnapping, but their time in prison ultimately helped them.

Julia shared that Moretta, after spending a year in prison, surprisingly felt it was a liberating experience. Moretta herself said, ‘Prison set me free,’ explaining that it allowed her to develop her own independent way of thinking.

Nomz says that prison was a deeply transformative experience, both incredibly difficult and ultimately beneficial. It made him think independently and challenge his previous beliefs.

Wow, it’s been a journey following Moretta. She’s actually left the community now, gotten married, and is starting a family – that’s amazing for her! As for Nomz, she’s still in Short Creek for now, but she’s really hoping to get out and has already completely cut ties with the FLDS. It’s good to see people taking control of their lives, you know?

It’s really hard to stop thinking about Bateman, and honestly, it’s made even worse by the fact that he’s still able to reach out to people from prison. He’s allowed phone and video calls, which just keeps his influence going, and it’s tough to escape that.

According to Dretzin, he stays in touch with his wives every day, and this constant communication actually gives him more power over them, especially now that he’s seen as a martyr.

I think the real turning point for people in these situations is when they finally distance themselves from the leader and the group. That’s when doubt can creep in, and they start to think, ‘Hold on, maybe I was wrong. Maybe he just created this whole thing to get rich, famous, and, well, you know… like every other cult leader.’ It’s like they finally have space to question things.

Where are Torrance Bistline, Ladell Bistline Jr., and Moroni Johnson?

Eleven people were arrested in connection with the case. Three of Bateman’s key associates received prison sentences: LaDell and his brother Torrance Bistline were sentenced to 35 years and life in prison, respectively, and Moroni Johnson received a 25-year sentence.

The Bistline brothers and Moroni were key helpers in Bateman’s crimes, assisting and carrying out the sexual abuse of children. Ladell Bistline Jr. received the harshest punishment after a jury convicted him of numerous offenses.

The indictment included charges related to possessing child pornography, sending inappropriate material to a minor, and coercing a minor to travel for sexual exploitation. It also covered using online platforms and interstate travel to facilitate these crimes, as well as transporting a minor for the purpose of sexual abuse.

As a follower of this case, I was absolutely horrified to learn the details. Court records revealed that he turned his own daughters, who were just nine and eleven years old, over to Bateman. It’s sickening to think he allowed this man to sexually abuse them, essentially handing them over as child brides. He was sentenced in February 2025, not long before his brother also faced justice.

Torrance Bistline was charged with using out-of-state communication to try and convince a minor to participate in sexual activity, along with destroying evidence and interfering with an official investigation.

The first individual received a 35-year prison sentence and, similar to Bateman, will be under lifelong supervision if released. Additionally, Moroni Johnson admitted guilt in May 2025 to conspiring to transport a minor for sexual exploitation and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

You can now watch the documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet on Netflix. If you’re interested in other true crime and documentary content, check out stories about the Skylar Neese case, learn how to stream Storyville: The Darkest Web, and find out about HSTikkyTokky’s father.

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2026-04-08 20:21