Authorities announced that two men from Arizona were convicted of offenses connected to a conspiracy of child sexual abuse linked to a religious group situated near the Arizona-Utah border.
Among the individuals involved was a 45-year-old named LaDell Jay Bistline, Jr.
A man has reportedly offered his two daughters, aged 9 and 11, as brides to the leader of a religious sect, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
A 36-year-old man, Torrance Bistline, was convicted on Wednesday for providing financial support to the sect and for the sexual abuse of one of the leader’s child brides, according to prosecutors.
Two siblings were adherents of Samuel Rappylee Bateman, a self-styled prophet who directed a faith community located in Colorado City, Arizona.
Bateman, viewing himself as a prophet, admitted guilt in April for his role in a conspiracy to transport underage girls across state lines for the purpose of child sexual abuse, as reported by The Associated Press.
His group, characterized by multiple marriages and inappropriate relationships with minors, spanned across Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska.
According to the Associated Press, the group led by Bateman was a splinter from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Bateman was married to more than 20 women, among them 10 girls who were under the age of 18.
He reportedly provided wives as presents to male followers and frequently assaulted underage girls, as stated by The Associated Press.
LaDell Jay Bistline, Jr. was found guilty of these charges:
- One count of receipt of child pornography.
- One count of transferring obscene material to a minor.
- Two counts of transporting a minor for criminal sexual activity.
- Two counts of persuading or coercing someone to travel for sexual activities.
- Two counts of using interstate commerce to coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
Torrance Bistline was found guilty of the following charges:
- One count of using interstate commerce to coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
- Two counts of destroying records in an official proceeding.
- One count of conspiring to destroy records that are part of an official proceeding.
- One count of tampering with an official proceeding.
- One count of conspiring to tamper with an official proceeding.
Reports indicate that certain sexual offenses may have been recorded and transmitted across state boundaries.