Arizona man sentenced to 35 years in prison for role in religious sect’s child sex abuse ring

PHOENIX — An Arizona man was sentenced on Monday to 35 years in prison for taking part in a religious sect’s child abuse ring, according to authorities.

Torrance Bistline, 36, committed the sex crimes with others including Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed leader who led a polygamous group out of Colorado City, Arizona, according to a Tuesday news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

In 2022, the case grabbed national attention after Bateman was caught by police in Flagstaff with underaged girls in his enclosed trailer.

It was learned that Bateman had more than 20 wives, including 10 girls who were minors.

Details on Arizona man child sex abuse ring case

Bistline’s charges stemmed from his participation in the child sex abuse ring, which involved 10 children and spanned across several states.

Bistline was convicted by a jury on the following charges:

• One count of using a means of interstate commerce to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity.
• Two counts of destruction of records in an official proceeding.
• One count of conspiracy to commit destruction of records in an official proceeding.
• One count of tampering with an official proceeding
• One count of conspiracy to commit tampering with an official proceeding.

He abused one of Bateman’s child brides during a sexual group activity, according to court documents. He then attempted to hide and destroy evidence to hinder the investigation, according to authorities.

Bistline helped to financially support the child sex abuse ring and even provided luxury cars, authorities said.

Related

Arizona brothers found guilty in child sexual abuse case involving offshoot polygamous sectArizona polygamous leader who had 20 'wives,' including 10 underage girls, gets 50 years in prisonNewborn found safe in northern AZ after being abducted from West ValleyHow to protect your dog from venomous snakes in Arizona10-year-old boy hospitalized after mountain rescue on Camelback’s Echo Canyon TrailHeat wave expected to bring record-breaking temps, heighten wildfire risk to parts of US