Netflix explores Arizona prophet criminal Samuel Bateman: Everything you need to know

Netflix has turned the spotlight on the shocking crimes of Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet and former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In 2024, Bateman was sentenced to 50 years in prison for victimizing young girls he called his “child brides.” These girls were actually referred to as “sex slaves” by a federal judge during his sentencing.

The case against Bateman began in 2022 following a routine traffic stop in Arizona, where law enforcement discovered underage girls in his vehicle. This incident marked the beginning of the unraveling of Bateman’s disturbing actions.

“Trust Me: The False Prophet,” a new docuseries on Netflix, delves into Bateman’s rise as a sect leader and subsequent downfall. The series provides an in-depth exploration of his crimes and the impact they had on his followers and victims.

Who exactly is Samuel Bateman, and what were his claims of prophethood? Bateman, originally a machinist who later became a real estate agent and motivational speaker, resided in Colorado City, Arizona, near the Utah border with his wife and daughter. In 2019, he began asserting that he had received divine messages instructing him to marry his own daughter. This claim led to his self-proclaimed title as a prophet.

As his following grew, Bateman started taking his followers’ spouses and daughters as his own “wives.” He ceased working and relied on his followers’ financial contributions to support his lifestyle, which included purchasing luxury vehicles such as Bentleys. By 2022, Bateman had amassed around 50 followers and claimed 22 “wives,” with 10 of them being minors at the time of their union.

Keep an eye out for “Trust Me: The False Prophet” on Netflix to learn more about the shocking story of Samuel Bateman and the crimes that led to his imprisonment.