Victim who was ‘given to’ Samuel Bateman when she was 14 says she was stripped of her identity, family relationships
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Polygamous self-proclaimed “prophet” Samuel Bateman rose to power in a fundamentalist group after the original leader, Warren Jeffs, was imprisoned. Bateman was installed as the “prophet” after Jeffs issued an edict voiding existing marriages and prohibiting new ones until he was released.
For Bateman’s actions after being installed as a leader, including taking “child brides,” he is facing a 30 to 50-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit transportation of a minor for criminal sexual activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a sentencing memorandum asking for the maximum possible sentence for Bateman.
“The only appropriate sentence here under the plea is 50 years’ imprisonment,” the U.S. attorney said in the sentencing memorandum obtained by 12News. “The defendant’s crimes, along with those of a few key co-defendants in this case, impacted an entire community and tore numerous families apart. The defendant caused extreme physical and mental anguish to so many, particularly the 9 named victims. For that, a 50-year prison sentence is not only warranted, but necessary.”
One victim, who was 14 when she was “given to” Bateman, wrote an impact statement explaining how Bateman harmed every part of her life.
“He stripped her of her identity—including her personality, dreams, and ambitions—and she lost her education, self-confidence, and many of her family relationships,” court documents said. “These young victims will live with the memories and the trauma they suffered at the hands of the defendant and some of his co-defendants for the rest of their lives.”
Content retrieved from: https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/feds-recommend-50-year-sentence-former-polygamist-sect-leader-who-kept-child-brides-warren-jeffs-samuel-bateman-flds/75-cc5bec6c-fa09-4178-9900-91d104fec8ab.
