JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Shocking Case of ‘Prophet’ Sam Bateman: Inside a Polygamist Sect.

  • Published In: People, 2026, v. 105, n. 14. P. 46 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: QUINN, LIAM 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the infiltration and exposure of a child sex abuse ring within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) in Colorado City, Arizona, by cult expert Christine Marie and her music video producer husband, Tolga Katas. Over a decade, the couple gained the trust of FLDS members while documenting the community, ultimately uncovering the abuses of Sam Bateman, a self-declared prophet who revived illegal plural marriage and sexually abused underage girls. Their undercover work, featured in the Netflix docuseries *Trust Me: The False Prophet*, aided law enforcement in arresting Bateman and his followers in 2022; Bateman pleaded guilty in 2024 and received a 50-year federal prison sentence. The article also highlights the experiences of former FLDS member Naomi Bistline, who left the group and credits Christine Marie and Katas with helping her transition to a new life. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:People. 2026/04, Vol. 105, Issue 14, p46
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Law
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0093-7673
  • Accession Number:192854722
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