Arizona polygamist sentenced to jail time, registered as sex offender

December 19, 2006
By Rick Ross

Polygamist David R. Bateman, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints sect (FLDS), was sentenced to nine months in prison for engaging in sex with a minor.

Mohave County Superior Court Judge James Chavez sentenced Bateman.

Bateman, a former school teacher, must register as a sex offender. He was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.

At the age of 44 Bateman was "spiritually sealed" to a 17-year-old girl in 2001.

Another FLDS member, Vergel Jessop, agreed to a plea bargain to avoid jail time, but will probably become a registered sex offender.

Jessop works for the parks department in Colorado City, Arizona. In 2000 Jessop was "spiritually sealed" to a 17-year-old girl.

A Mohave County grand jury indicted eight other FLDS men on identical sex-crime charges in August 2005, five cases have been resolved.

Kelly Fischer was convicted and sentenced to 45 days in jail.

Donald Barlow was acquitted because the prosecutor failed to prove the crime took place in Arizona.

Charges were dropped against Terry D. Barlow because his marriage to a minor took place in Canada.

Charges remain pending against Rodney Holm, Randy Barlow and Dale Barlow.

Note: This report is based upon an article written by Brooke Adams titled "FLDS member gets prison for sex with minor" published by The Salt Lake Tribune December 19, 2006