polygamous sect

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Polygamous Leader Had 'Wives' as Young as 9: FBI
Polygamous Leader Had
'Wives' as Young as 9: FBI
the rundown
Dec 7, 2022 6:45 AM CST

Polygamous Leader Had 'Wives' as Young as 9: FBI

Samuel Bateman, 46, was arrested over the summer

(Newser) - The leader of a polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border had more than 20 "wives," including children, according to an FBI affidavit filed Friday in federal court. Samuel Rappylee Bateman, a 46-year-old self-described "prophet" and former leader of a branch of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ...

Missing Girls Found in Raid on Cult Compound

Police say they were kidnapped by their father

(Newser) - Two Utah girls have been found safe nearly three months after they were allegedly kidnapped by their father, who family members feared had betrothed them to a polygamist sect leader. John Coltharp, said to be 33 or 34, was arrested in Sanpete County Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and obstruction...

Why All Eyes Are On Elections in a Remote Utah Town

Polygamist FLDS group seems to be losing long-held grasp on the town—including local politics

(Newser) - In a place where political contests are virtually unknown, campaign signs offer the latest hint that a polygamous group is losing its grip on a remote community on the Utah-Arizona border. "For Hildale mayor vote Donia," reads a sign featuring Donia Jessop, a candidate pictured with a contemporary...

Warren Jeffs' 65th 'Wife' Wants You to Tour His House

She plans to open Utah mansion to tourists, tenants

(Newser) - The Utah mansion was once home to pedophilia and polygamy. Now, it could host tourists. Brielle Decker, the 65th of Warren Jeffs' 79 wives, fled his Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints five years ago. She now plans to turn the 41-bedroom home the polygamist sect leader...

Oops: Did Warren Jeffs Preach From Prison?

If so, the polygamist leader broke the rules

(Newser) - Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs may still be preaching to his sect—over the phone. "We have confirmed that Jeffs made two phone calls on Christmas Day to a relative," a Texas official tells the Los Angeles Times . "At this point, we're investigating whether he may have...

A Warren Jeffs Wife Flees Sect With Police Help

Woman, 25, is taken to shelter

(Newser) - Police yesterday helped one of Warren Jeffs' numerous wives flee the polygamous community on the Utah-Arizona border that he still leads from behind bars . The woman, 25, "asked for assistance in leaving the community, and a deputy responded and facilitated that request," said a spokesman for Utah's...

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