Moroni Johnson Sentenced to 25 Years for Giving Daughters to Cult Leader
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Moroni Johnson, a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), gave four of his underage daughters to Samuel Bateman, the leader of a breakaway religious sect who claimed to be a prophet. Bateman sexually abused the girls, and Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport minors for criminal sexual activity. He is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
Why it matters
This case highlights the dangers of cults and the exploitation of vulnerable children by self-proclaimed religious leaders. It also underscores the difficult position that family members can find themselves in when a loved one becomes involved in an abusive group.
The details
In 2019, Samuel Bateman, a former FLDS member, created his own sect and told his followers that he was a prophet who could have multiple “spiritual wives.” Moroni Johnson, who had previously been part of the FLDS community, became one of Bateman’s closest followers. Johnson convinced his wife, Julia, to allow four of their underage daughters to become Bateman’s “wives.” Julia fought against this, but the girls were ultimately given to Bateman, who sexually abused them and coordinated their abuse by other men.
In 2019, Bateman became determined that he was the next prophet and could claim nearly two dozen women and girls as his “spiritual wives.”
In August 2022, Bateman was initially arrested on suspicion of child abuse.
In March 2024, Moroni Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiring with Bateman to transport underage girls across state lines for criminal sexual activity.
In 2025, Moroni Johnson was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Content retrieved from: https://nationaltoday.com/us/ut/hildale/news/2026/04/11/moroni-johnson-sentenced-to-25-years-for-giving-daughters-to-cult-leader/.
