Prosecutors widen child sex abuse case in polygamous sect, adding child pornography charges

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A grand jury accuses Sam Bateman of child pornography in a superseding indictment filed recently and adds new counts to charges filed last year for kidnapping and impeding an investigation. In December, federal prosecutors charged Bateman and several of his wives with kidnapping minors and impeding a foreseeable prosecution for helping young girls associated with the group flee Arizona foster care. The indictment also alleges Bateman “encouraged the minors to participate in the sexual activity and trained them to do so,” including with girls so young that he once became upset when one wet the bed. He told girls 10 and younger, “You belong to me,” and one who the indictment describes as nine or 10 years old described the sexual encounters as “definitely terrifying.” The indictment also claims several followers — men and women — denied the allegations of abuse, including of their own children, when interviewed by the Arizona Department of Child Safety.