COLORADO CITY – Horrific details of the sexual exploitation of children continue to unfold in the prosecution of a dozen defendants linked to a child bride culture rooted in a remote north Mohave County where polygamous lifestyle has drawn law enforcement and press attention for decades.
The United States District Attorney’s Office District of Arizona reports a federal jury returned guilty verdicts Oct. 2 in the trial of LaDell Bistline, 45, and Torrance Bistline, 36, both of Colorado City. The agency issued an information-packed news release regarding multiple convictions related to the Bistline’s participation in what it called a years-long child sexual abuse conspiracy that spanned several states and victimized at least 10 children.
“The defendants committed their crimes with others, including co-defendant Sameul Rappylee Bateman, the self-proclaimed prophet of a religious sect based in Colorado City,” the news release said. “Bateman and nine of his other followers pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse conspiracy.”
U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino said the trial convictions are a step toward justice for the victims.
“The Bistlines used their positions of power and trust to sexually exploit children and to profane the community. The devastating trauma and harm they inflicted is unfathomable,” Restaino said, following verdict return in Phoenix. “Today’s guilty verdicts hold them to account – for their despicable acts, for their breach of trust, and for complete indifference to the mental and psychological scars their victims will live with for the rest of their lives.”
The news release says the Bistline brothers and other Bateman followers provided their prophet their daughters as child brides for sexual abuse.
“Bateman and others transported the victims between states, including Nebraska, Colorado, Utah and Arizona to facilitate the sexual abuse,” the release said. “LaDell Jay Bistline, Jr. delivered two of his own daughters to Bateman to become child brides when the girls were nine and 11 years old. LaDell Jay Bistline, Jr. also participated in group sexual activity involving children, including one event he watched over a video livestream.”
The District Attorney’s office said Torrance Bistline supported Bateman’s group financially and participated in group child sex activity. He was also convicted of interfering with the investigation and attempting to hide and destroy evidence.
The Bistline brothers face at least 10 years and possible life prison terms. They’ll be sentenced separately on Dec. 16 and Dec. 20 by U.S. District Judge Susan M.Brnovich. Sentencing for Bateman is scheduled Oct. 28.
Dave Hawkins
