Samuel Bateman Convicted of Child Abuse Charges in Arizona

Samuel Bateman 在亞利索那州被裁定虐童罪名成立

Jun 27, 2026, 03:53
USSociety

Introduction

Samuel Bateman, a former leader of a polygamous group, has been found guilty of three counts of child abuse by a jury in Arizona.

前一夫多妻教團領袖 Samuel Bateman 被亞利索那州的陪審團裁定三項虐童罪名成立。

Main Body

The legal case began after an incident in August 2022 in Flagstaff, Arizona. Police stopped a vehicle driven by Bateman after a witness reported seeing children's fingers through the gaps of a cargo trailer. When officers inspected the trailer, they found three girls, aged 11 to 14, inside a closed space with no ventilation. The trailer contained only a sofa, camping chairs, and a basic toilet. During the trial, Bateman represented himself and admitted that the trailer was too hot and lacked fresh air; however, he claimed he believed the children had left the trailer during a previous stop.

這起法律案件始於 2022 年 8 月在亞利索那州旗桿城（Flagstaff）發生的一起事件。在一名證人舉報看到貨運拖車縫隙中出現兒童手指後，警方攔截了由 Bateman 駕駛的車輛。當警員檢查拖車時，發現內部有三名 11 至 14 歲的女孩，被困在一個沒有通風的封閉空間內。拖車內僅有一張沙發、幾把露營椅和一個簡易廁所。在審判過程中，Bateman 為自己辯護，並承認拖車內過熱且缺乏新鮮空氣；然而，他聲稱他以為孩子們在之前的停靠站已經離開了拖車。

These state charges are in addition to a previous federal conviction, for which Bateman is already serving a 50-year sentence. That federal case involved forcing children, some as young as nine, into sexual acts and a plan to kidnap children from state care. Bateman was previously a trusted follower of Warren Jeffs and started his own branch of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This group operated in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska and practiced polygamy, a tradition that the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rejected in 1890.

這些州政府的指控是在之前的聯邦定罪之外增加的，Bateman 目前已在服刑 50 年的聯邦刑期。該聯邦案件涉及強迫兒童（部分年僅九歲）進行性行為，以及計劃從州政府照顧體系中綁架兒童。Bateman 此前是 Warren Jeffs 的信任追隨者，隨後創立了自己名下的「耶穌基督後期聖徒基本教派」分支。該教團在亞利索那州、猶他州、科羅拉多州和內布拉斯加州運作，並實行一夫多妻制，而主流的耶穌基督後期聖徒教會在 1890 年就已否認並廢除此傳統。

Furthermore, the influence of this sect in Colorado City and Hildale has declined significantly. After a 2017 court order removed the church from local government and police control, the region began to change. Consequently, court-ordered supervision ended last summer, and current data shows that only a small percentage of the local population still belongs to the group.

此外，該教派在 Colorado City 和 Hildale 的影響力已大幅下降。在 2017 年法院下令將教會移出當地政府和警方控制後，該地區開始發生變化。因此，法院命令的監督於去年夏天結束，目前的數據顯示，當地人口中僅有極小部分仍屬於該教團。

Conclusion

Bateman is waiting for his sentencing hearing on August 25. Each charge carries a mandatory prison term of four to eight years.

Bateman 正等待 8 月 25 日的量刑聽證會。每項指控的強制監禁期為四至八年。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 Moving Beyond "And" & "But"

At the A2 level, you likely connect your ideas using simple words like and, but, and because. To reach B2, you need Logical Connectors. These are words that tell the reader exactly how two ideas relate to each other.

Look at these specific transitions from the text:

1. The "Adding More" Transition: Furthermore Instead of saying "And also...", the author uses Furthermore.

  • A2 Style: He had a federal case. And he also had state charges.
  • B2 Style: He had a federal case. Furthermore, he faced state charges.
  • Use this when you want to add a stronger, more important point to your argument.

2. The "Result" Transition: Consequently Instead of saying "So...", the author uses Consequently.

  • A2 Style: The court took control. So, the region began to change.
  • B2 Style: The court took control. Consequently, the region began to change.
  • Use this to show a direct cause-and-effect relationship in a professional way.

3. The "Contrast" Transition: However Instead of using "But" at the start of a sentence, use However.

  • A2 Style: The trailer was hot. But he said the kids left.
  • B2 Style: The trailer was hot; however, he claimed the children had left.
  • Note: Notice the punctuation! B2 writers often use a semicolon (;) or a period before 'however' and a comma after it.

💡 Vocabulary Shift: "Vague" →\rightarrow "Precise"

Stop using general words like thing or bad. Look at how the text describes the situation with precision:

A2 Word (General)B2 Word (Precise)Context from Text
GroupSect"the influence of this sect..."
PartBranch"started his own branch of the church"
RuleConviction"a previous federal conviction"

Pro Tip: When you move to B2, you don't just describe what happened; you describe how it happened using specific legal or social terms.

Vocabulary Learning

convicted (adj.)
Declared guilty of a criminal offense by a court of law.
Example:The defendant was convicted of fraud after the jury reviewed the evidence.
ventilation (n.)
The provision of fresh air to a room or building.
Example:The basement was damp and cold because it lacked proper ventilation.
conviction (n.)
A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.
Example:His previous conviction for theft made it difficult for him to find a job.
mainstream (adj.)
Representing the most common or widely accepted ideas, attitudes, or activities of a society.
Example:While some people hold radical views, most of the population follows mainstream beliefs.
significantly (adv.)
In a sufficiently great or important way as to be worthy of attention.
Example:The cost of living has risen significantly over the last decade.
consequently (adv.)
As a result of something that has happened.
Example:He failed to study for the exam; consequently, he did not pass the course.
mandatory (adj.)
Required by law or rules; compulsory.
Example:The company has a mandatory training session for all new employees.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→