Netflix Exposes New FLDS Prophet in 'Trust Me' Documentary

Netflix's new documentary miniseries *Trust Me: The False Prophet* premiered on April 8, 2026, shining a light on the continued exploitation within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) nearly two decades after the imprisonment of its most notorious leader.

The four-episode series, directed by Rachel Dretzin, centers on Samuel Bateman, a man who declared himself the successor to Warren Jeffs and built a following within the FLDS community spanning the Utah-Arizona border towns of Hildale and Colorado City. What begins as an examination of cult dynamics evolves into a harrowing account of systematic abuse that mirrors the crimes perpetrated by his predecessor.

Bateman's criminal enterprise came to light through an unconventional investigation. Documentary filmmakers Dr. Christine Marie, a cult expert, and Tolga Katas, a videographer and Marie's husband, gathered evidence by positioning themselves within the community under the guise of creating a cultural documentary about FLDS life. This undercover approach yielded audio and video recordings that would ultimately form the documentary's most damning evidence.

According to FBI findings presented in the series, Bateman victimized at least 10 children over several years. The documentary features recorded confessions in which Bateman himself admits to abusing women and children on both audio and video. These admissions provided law enforcement with irrefutable evidence of his crimes.

Bateman's arrest in 2022 marked a turning point in the investigation. Despite initial resistance from parts of the community—some members remained loyal to Bateman's claims of spiritual authority—law enforcement agencies including the Colorado City/Hildale Police Department and the FBI moved forward with prosecution. The case culminated in a 50-year prison sentence, effectively removing Bateman from circulation for the foreseeable future.