Sam Bateman, the leader of a polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints sect, is back in court in Arizona facing state child abuse charges — and he is legally representing himself. Bateman has already been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty in federal court in 2024 to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and transport a minor for criminal sexual activity, according to a 2024 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona news release.
