Filmmakers Go Undercover Inside a Polygamist Sect Led by ‘Prophet’ Who Abused Girls

A new documentary series featuring undercover footage aims to shed light on the inner workings of a breakaway sect led by Samuel Bateman, who is serving a lengthy prison sentence for serious crimes including the abuse of minors. The four-part series, titled *Trust Me: The False Prophet*, will debut on Netflix on April 8 and reveals grim realities within the isolated community of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS).

Samuel Rappylee Bateman took the helm of his faction following the imprisonment of notorious FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, who is currently serving a life sentence for child sexual abuse. Bateman’s reign was marked by allegations of grave misconduct, including claims of coercing underage girls into “spiritual” marriages and sexual activity.

The filmmakers behind the documentary, Christine Marie, a cult researcher, and her husband Tolga Katas, embedded themselves in the community situated on the Utah-Arizona border, known as Short Creek. They began documenting the circumstances within the sect after Jeffs’ conviction, gaining Bateman’s trust in an effort to expose the troubling behaviour they witnessed.

Christine and Tolga’s access to the group allowed them to gather a wealth of footage that would later prove pivotal in bringing Bateman’s crimes to light. The couple felt a dual sense of duty; while they were aware they were engaging in deceptive practices, they viewed their efforts as a critical rescue mission. “I was so trusted. I wanted to help them before they found out I was a mole,” Christine states in the series, illustrating the moral complexities surrounding their secret venture.

As their investigation progressed, the couple’s footage captured alarming realities of life under Bateman’s dominion. From testimonies of followers fearful of retaliation—“If Sam found out what I was doing, he would take my children and flee,” one woman stated—it became evident that the cult’s environment was fraught with coercion and control. The evidence they captured ultimately led to intervention by law enforcement.

Federal investigators later revealed that Bateman had more than 20 “spiritual wives,” many of whom were minors, some as young as nine. The evidence suggested that he not only engaged in sexual exploitation himself but also encouraged followers to abduct girls removed from custody by child welfare officials. Many of these minors were reportedly missing for weeks and later discovered in Washington state.

Bateman’s conviction was handed down after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a minor for sex and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. In a powerful courtroom address, U.S. District Judge Susan Brnovich expressed the profound impact of his crimes: “The amount of harm you caused is nothing short of unmeasurable.” He was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison, highlighting the seriousness with which the judicial system viewed his actions.

*Trust Me: The False Prophet*, directed by Rachel Dretzin, utilises the couple’s undercover footage as a cornerstone of its narrative, providing viewers with a chilling inside look at the manipulation and abuse perpetuated within the sect. By documenting these experiences, Christine and Tolga have turned the camera on a world that often remains hidden from public view.

This new series seeks not only to inform audiences about the perils that lurk in such closed communities but also to remember the individuals affected by these abuses. Their story is a sobering reminder of the fight against exploitation and the ongoing efforts required to protect vulnerable populations caught in cycles of abuse. As the documentary prepares to launch, it is likely to spark conversations on cult dynamics, governance, and the importance of safeguarding minors.