Escaping the false prophet: a former wife's harrowing story
The chilling depths of religious manipulation and sex trafficking are laid bare in Netflix’s new documentary, Trust Me: The False Prophet. The four-part series unveils the disturbing reality of Samuel Bateman, a man who cultivated a polygamist sect, exploiting and abusing over twenty women, including ten underage girls. But beyond the shocking details of Bateman’s crimes lies the courageous account of Naomi, one of his former wives, whose testimony forms the documentary’s emotional core.
A descent into cult control
Naomi, known as ‘Nomz’ within the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) community, was lured into Bateman’s web in her early twenties. Raised within the Mormon faith, she became a target of Bateman’s harassment, a relentless campaign that gradually eroded her mental state. As one of Naomi’s family members poignantly observes, she was “mentally exhausted” by the time Bateman declared, “Heavenly Father impressed me to tell you that you belong to my family.” The insidious nature of the manipulation is striking: Bateman didn’t just coerce; he convinced, twisting religious doctrine to justify his actions and isolating Naomi from her own sense of self. Her initial declaration— “I went stone cold [.] I was like this has to be right, if it’s not right what is? I would like to know”— speaks volumes about the psychological conditioning she endured.
The documentary reveals a truly bizarre ambition within Bateman’s warped worldview. He planned to enlist the late Queen Elizabeth II as a 'spiritual wife,' a testament to his staggering delusion. A video featuring Bateman and his wives, some visibly minors, singing hymns was intended for YouTube, a desperate attempt to garner royal attention. Marie and Katas, the documentary filmmakers, provided this evidence to the FBI, initiating the investigation that ultimately led to Bateman’s downfall.
The price of silence, then the fight for freedom
Naomi’s escape wasn’t immediate. On August 28, 2022, police apprehended Bateman while he was transporting multiple women and girls in the trailer of his truck. Naomi, initially attempting to defend Bateman, imploring officers to “You have to let him go!” highlights the deeply ingrained loyalty and fear that had bound her to him. Just weeks later, the FBI raided their home, rescuing the women and girls. Even then, Naomi initially lied during questioning, a reflex born of years of deception and control.
The aftermath was far from straightforward. Naomi, acting on Bateman’s orders from prison, attempted to retrieve the minors, leading to a tense standoff with eight police officers. Following a night in hiding, she surrendered, facing 21 months in prison. It was within those walls that a profound shift occurred. Stripped of Bateman’s influence, Naomi began to question her beliefs, confronting the reality of her manipulation and the lies she had been raised on. “Looking back, it feels like I was an entirely different person,” she admits, reflecting on the psychological toll of her experience.
Reclaiming a life
Today, Naomi is forging a new path. She is pursuing a degree in psychology, sharing her story on social media, and modeling for Katas. She embodies a remarkable resilience, having transformed from a victim of abuse into a voice for change. “I believed he was my only way to heaven, back to God,” she recounts, “if he held the keys to my salvation, anything I did would damn me if he didn’t approve of it.” Her journey is a testament to the human capacity for healing and the enduring power of hope.
Just twelve months after walking out of the courthouse, she posted on Instagram: “This past year has been nothing short of transformation… It has been a journey of healing, allowing myself to feel everything I am going through.” Naomi’s story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals facing manipulation and the courage required to break free – a courage that resonates far beyond the confines of the FLDS community.