Inside Samuel Bateman’s Sect: How Former Followers Helped Uncover Abuse Claims

Netflix Tudum’s docuseries ‘Trust Me: The False Prophet’ chronicles how outsiders Christine Marie and Tolga Katas infiltrated the extremist group led by self-proclaimed prophet Samuel Bateman and helped expose what federal prosecutors described as a “years-long child s----- abuse conspiracy” operating in the Short Creek community along the Arizona-Utah border.

Bateman rose to power in the aftermath of former FLDS leader Warren Jeffs’ imprisonment, exploiting a fractured religious community searching for direction. Prosecutors said Bateman used his influence to declare himself the next prophet while coercing women and girls — some reportedly as young as nine — into so-called spiritual marriages that enabled years of s----- abuse.

Christine and Tolga gained Bateman’s trust by pretending to produce a documentary meant to spread his teachings. Behind the scenes, however, they secretly documented conversations, relationships, and evidence that later became critical to the federal investigation.

One of the most significant recordings came in November 2021, when Christine secretly taped Bateman and three of his wives — including one minor — discussing what they referred to as “the Atonement.” According to court documents, Bateman described “giving these three wives to his three male followers.”

The pair also captured footage of Bateman inside his home, surrounded by his wives, who praised him and described their relationships with him. Christine later explained to Tudum that her outsider status allowed her to challenge the group in ways members could not.

She revealed that she had previously experienced manipulation by a religious fundamentalist herself, giving her insights into how vulnerable people could become trapped under coercive control, Oxygen True Crime reported.

Following Bateman’s 2024 conviction and 50-year prison sentence, Christine reflected on the undercover operation and the impact it had on survivors.

“It was so validating for me to make sure that these girls and women were safe. Even the women who still believe in him are a hundred times safer with him not in the house,” she told Tudum. “He could never rape another girl again. There was a sense of closure for me.”

Today, Christine and Tolga continue living in Short Creek, where they remain involved in helping former FLDS members rebuild their lives. Tolga continues his work as a music producer and cinematographer, while Christine recently celebrated another milestone in their personal life.

"I love being married to this man @tolgakatas," she wrote on Instagram in April 2025. "After over 20 years together, my heart still flutters when he walks into the room.”

The docuseries also highlights the role of Julia Johnson, an FLDS mother whose daughters became Bateman’s wives. According to Christine, Julia desperately tried to protect her children while struggling against the group’s control.

“Julia did not give her children away,” Christine told Tudum. “Julia fought it and didn’t know what to do about it. She was crying, having mental breakdowns over it.”

Eventually, Julia began cooperating with Christine, Tolga, and the FBI after concluding Bateman was a false prophet. Filmmaker Rachel Dretzin praised her courage, saying, “Julia is extraordinary. In many ways [she’s] the heroine of the film, because it takes so much for a woman at that age to turn against her husband and to risk what she risked in going for help.”

Julia is no longer with her husband, Moroni Johnson, who is serving a 25-year sentence for conspiracy to commit trafficking of a minor for s----- purposes.

Several of Bateman’s former wives have also publicly left the FLDS community. Ruth Johnson, who was only 14 when she was told she would marry Bateman, recalled the moment her father informed her.

“[My dad] gave me a hug, which we never did," Ruth told KSL. "He said, 'Samuel's outside waiting for you.'”

Ruth said obedience became central to proving her devotion. “In order to get him to notice me, I just needed him to approve of me,” she explained. “The belief system he created was that obedience is how you show someone you love them.”

Now 20, Ruth has completed high school and hopes to write a book one day. “My pain has become my power,” she said. “If I can do some good in the world, I want to do it.”

Other former followers, including Moretta Johnson and Naomi “Nomz” Bistline, also eventually left the FLDS community after serving prison sentences connected to a kidnapping plot orchestrated by Bateman. Nomz has since focused on music and rebuilding her life with support from Christine and Tolga.

“I’m very close with them,” she told Tudum. “They’ve been the biggest support and have been helping me navigate the outside world and making connections.”