Final person sentenced in FLDS child bride sex trafficking scheme
Torrance Bistline, follower of self-proclaimed prophet Sam Bateman, receives 35 years
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Monday marked the final criminal sentencing in federal court in a series of cases involving a self-proclaimed prophet in a fundamentalist Mormon church. The cases all involve trafficking child brides as young as nine years old.
The last follower of Samuel Bateman, Torrance Bistline, was sentenced to 35 years for his role in what prosecutors called a sex trafficking scheme hidden by religion.
Bistline was the person in charge of managing the scheme’s finances. He was a successful businessman who provided Bateman with luxury cars and paid his legal fees. Bistline was the last of ten people convicted and sentenced in this religious sex trafficking scheme.
A Flagstaff traffic stop, caught on police bodycam footage, was the moment that broke the case wide open in September 2022.
Bateman was caught transporting child brides and young girls in horrific conditions inside a trailer, supported by his adult wives and followers. The investigation exposed a cross-country trafficking scheme. Bateman used religion as a way of manipulation and sexual and emotional control.
Dozens of charges were filed against Samuel Bateman, his wives, and two brothers who were managing the scheme with girls and finances.
“Sam Bateman has utterly shattered my family into a million pieces,” said Faith Bistline, whom we sat down with last fall.
Her own family was convicted in this case. Faith escaped the FLDS and spent years fighting to expose Bateman and save the young girls. Years later, it has finally all happened.
Sam Bateman took a plea deal and was sentenced to 50 years for trafficking, abusing, and kidnapping the girls.
Two of Bateman’s followers and brothers, Ladell Bistline Jr. and Torrance Bistline, stood trial. Ladell provided the girls, including his own daughters, and was sentenced to life in prison.
Seven of Bateman’s adult wives also faced consequences, and some will be behind bars in prison for multiple years.
Faith now cares for the girls rescued those years ago. They are all teens now, who no longer believe in Sam Bateman and are reclaiming their innocence. They are now truly free.
“They’re so focused on growing up and exploring the world and seeing all these different options out there. What do I want to be when I grow up? These are things they didn’t get while they were there,” said Faith.
Had Sam Bateman and his wives not taken a plea deal, he would likely have been in prison for life. At his sentencing, some of the victims bravely spoke to the judge in hopes of a harsh sentence.
The judge gave him the maximum amount for the deal.
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