How a 2022 Arizona Traffic Stop Exposed Self-Proclaimed Prophet Samuel Bateman
The Samuel Bateman FLDS Case: How a 2022 Traffic Stop Exposed a Prophet
What began as a single 911 call about children inside a hot cargo trailer on an Arizona highway ultimately unravelled a major federal crime case involving child exploitation, kidnapping, and a self-proclaimed religious prophet.
The case against Samuel Bateman—a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) who claimed to have dozens of wives, including minors—ended in federal prison sentences for Bateman and several female followers.
Here is a look back at how a routine traffic complaint in Flagstaff led to a massive federal investigation.
A 911 Call Brings Police to a Highway Trailer
On August 28, 2022, a concerned caller at Silver Saddle near Flagstaff contacted 911 after seeing people, including young children, emerging from an enclosed cargo trailer. The caller estimated that roughly eight people were inside and raised concerns about extreme heat and a lack of ventilation.
Flagstaff police, Coconino County deputies, and Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. As officers approached, they saw hands and fingers appearing from inside the trailer.
Officers identified the driver as 46-year-old Samuel Bateman. According to court records, Bateman was already under FBI investigation at the time of the stop. Records described him as a self-proclaimed prophet who claimed to be the successor to former FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, having gathered approximately 50 followers.
Conflicting Stories and Hidden Rings
As officers opened the trailer, several women and children emerged. Among them were 24-year-old Naomi Beistlein and 19-year-old Meretta Johnson, whom court records later identified as wives of Bateman.
Several young girls were also removed from the trailer, identifying their ages as 14, 11, and 12, while another girl initially refused to give her age. Inside the enclosed trailer, officers found no air vents, no seatbelts, a couch, an empty stroller, and a five-gallon bucket fitted with a toilet seat.
During separate interviews, officers noted significant red flags:
-
Conflicting Destinations: Some girls believed they were heading to Phoenix, another thought Tucson, and others were unsure where they were going or how long they would be away.
-
Marriage Rings: A trooper noticed a 14-year-old girl wearing a ring on her ring finger and observed that several other girls appeared to have hidden similar rings.
-
Extreme Danger: Troopers emphasized that placing unrestrained children inside an unventilated trailer at highway speeds posed a severe risk to their safety.
Officers arrested Bateman at the scene for endangerment and booked him into the Coconino County Jail. The children were separated and eventually released to verified adults.
Phone Resets and FBI Raids
The traffic stop accelerated an ongoing federal investigation that relied on FBI informants embedded in Bateman’s group. Court records revealed that Bateman claimed to have more than 20 wives, many of whom were minors.
Following his initial release from custody after the traffic stop, Bateman attempted to reset his phone and instructed his wives to delete communications and evidence.
The investigation quickly escalated:
-
Federal agents executed raids at three residences associated with Bateman.
-
FBI agents removed nine minor females and placed them into the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
-
Adult women associated with Bateman subsequently attempted to remove eight of the girls from authorities; the girls were later located in Spokane, Washington.
-
Investigators uncovered evidence detailing sexual acts involving Bateman, adult followers, and minor girls, as well as ritualistic “atonement” practices.
Federal Court Convictions and Sentencings
The federal prosecution concluded after Bateman and several adult women in his group entered guilty pleas.
On April 1, 2024, Samuel Bateman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a minor for criminal activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He was sentenced to two 50-year federal prison sentences to be served concurrently, followed by lifetime supervised release.
Several women associated with the group were also sentenced in federal court:
-
Josephine Barlow Beislein: Pleaded guilty to two counts involving persuading or coercing travel to engage in sexual activity; sentenced to two concurrent 180-month (15-year) prison terms followed by lifetime supervised release.
-
Brenda Barlow: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tampering with an official proceeding; received a 3-year federal prison sentence.
-
Meretta Johnson: Pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony; sentenced to time served and supervised release.
-
Naomi Beislein: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tampering with an official proceeding; sentenced to time served and supervised release.
What began as a bystander’s quick decision to call 911 over a unsafe trailer on an Arizona highway ultimately protected multiple minors and brought an end to Bateman’s multi-state criminal enterprise.
Watch the Full Investigation
For a complete breakdown of the police bodycam footage and court records, credit goes to EWU Bodycam for documenting the case.
Watch it all here: EWU Bodycam on YouTube
Connect With St. George Direct
Our Direct Line 435.309.3635
