Netflix’s new documentary series Trust Me: The False Prophet tells the disturbing story of Samuel Bateman, a man who declared himself a prophet after Warren Jeffs went to prison. The show follows Christine Marie and her husband Tolga Katas, who moved to Short Creek, Utah, to document the community. But they secretly gathered evidence of Bateman’s crimes, which included taking underage girls as wives. The four-part series dropped on April 8, 2026, and viewers want to know what happened to the survivors after Bateman’s arrest.
Samuel Bateman Is Serving 50 Years in Prison
Samuel Rappylee Bateman received a 50-year prison sentence in December 2024. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a minor for criminal sexual activity and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Federal investigators found that Bateman had more than 20 spiritual wives, including minors as young as nine years old.
During his sentencing, US District Judge Susan Brnovich told him:
“The amount of harm you caused is nothing short of unmeasurable.”
Bateman still has regular contact with some followers from prison. The facility where he is held allows unlimited phone and video calls. This means he stays in daily touch with his remaining wives. Christine Marie explained that this communication acts like an IV of indoctrination, feeding them certainty that he is still talking to God.
Several of Bateman’s male followers are also serving prison time. Moroni Johnson, one of his early supporters, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit trafficking of a minor for sexual purposes. He began serving a 25-year sentence in May 2025.
All Underage Victims Have Left Bateman and Spoken Out
The documentary reveals that every minor who was under Bateman’s control has now separated from him. After Bateman orchestrated a kidnapping plot from prison in November 2022, where eight minors vanished from state custody, authorities recovered them in Spokane, Washington. The girls were then placed in separate foster homes.
Director Rachel Dretzin said being removed from the community and placed in foster care gave these young survivors a new perspective. Once they were outside the group, they could finally see what had happened to them and speak out against Bateman. All of the underage victims testified against him in court.
But the situation remains difficult for many adults. Dretzin stated that the majority of adults shown in the documentary still follow Bateman to this day. While the minors have woken up, many parents have not.
Julia Johnson Risked Everything to Help Take Bateman Down
Julia Johnson became a key figure in the investigation against Bateman. She was the wife of Moroni Johnson, who urged her to give four of their daughters, including two minors, to Bateman as wives. Julia fought against this and secretly met with Christine Marie in July 2022, sharing firsthand accounts of Bateman’s crimes.
In the documentary, Julia recalls telling her husband:
“We’re following a false prophet, and he’s leading us right to hell, and I’m not going to go there anymore.”
Director Rachel Dretzin called Julia the heroine of the film, saying it takes enormous strength for a woman her age to turn against her husband and risk everything to get help.
Julia and Moroni are no longer together. Two of Julia’s five daughters still follow Bateman. But Julia has left the cult completely and continues to stay in touch with Christine Marie. Christine has nothing but praise for Julia and says she is very proud of her.
Moretta Johnson Found Freedom in Prison
Moretta Johnson, one of Julia’s daughters, was a minor when Bateman took her as a wife. She was one of Bateman’s most loyal followers and defended him publicly. Moretta was arrested for her role in the kidnapping plot and sent to prison.
But prison changed her life. Julia said in the documentary that Moretta told her, “Prison set me free.” The time behind bars helped her start thinking for herself for the first time.
Since her release, Moretta has completely left the community. She got married and started a family of her own. She and Nomz remain very close and support each other through their recovery.
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Naomi Nomz Bistline Is Rebuilding Her Life Through Music and Art
Naomi “Nomz” Bistline was brought into Bateman’s sect by her guardian, LaDell Jay Bistline, after spending 10 years in his care. She became one of Bateman’s most devoted wives and defended him publicly. Like Moretta, she was arrested and served prison time for her role in the kidnapping plot.
Nomz describes her time in prison as both the best and worst thing that happened to her. It forced her to start thinking for herself and questioning everything. She and Moretta became the only two adult followers of Bateman who testified against him in court.
Today, Nomz still lives in Short Creek but feels disconnected from everyone there. She hopes to leave for good once she can afford an apartment somewhere else. In the meantime, she has discovered new passions including writing, art, and fashion.
Music has become her main focus. She has been working with a vocal coach and meeting with producers and songwriters.
“Music helps me process things. It helps me let it out.” – Naomi “Nomz” Bistline
Nomz has also reexamined her faith. She said she now has a hard time believing in a single God who has all power, questioning how such a God could let these things happen. She questions everything now.
Nomz has reconciled with Christine Marie, whom she once compared to Judas after learning Christine was an FBI informant. After listening to a podcast where Christine shared her own story of surviving abuse by a false prophet, everything clicked for Nomz. The parallels between their stories were so similar. They have since become close friends, with Christine and Tolga serving as godparents to Nomz.
Nomz made a promise to herself after leaving prison:
“I will do whatever it takes to stop Sam and any other person like him. I’m willing to put my pain and comfort aside in order to bring awareness. The story needed to be told.”
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