Arizona brothers found guilty in FLDS-linked child sex trafficking case

A federal jury found two brothers guilty Friday of their involvement in a child sex trafficking case linked to an offshoot of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Colorado City, Arizona.

LaDell Jay Bistline, 45, and Torrance Bistline, 36, were charged with conspiring to abuse 10 children under the direction of their leader, Samuel Rappylee Bateman. Earlier this year, Bateman pleaded guilty to receiving underage brides, engaging in sexual activity with them and arranging group sex, sometimes involving child brides.

LaDell Jay Bistline was found guilty of receiving, transmitting, and transporting child pornography materials to minors for sexual purposes.

Torrance Bistline was found guilty of destroying records, tampering with official proceedings and using interstate commerce to coerce minors into sexual activity.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the children were transported and exploited in multiple states, including Arizona, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah.

LaDell Jay Bistline’s sentencing is scheduled for December 16 and Torrance Bistline’s is scheduled for December 20. Both brothers face ten years to life in prison.

“Bist activists have used their power and trust to sexually abuse children and desecrate their community. The devastating trauma and harm they caused is unfathomable,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. “But today’s convictions hold them accountable for their despicable actions, breach of trust and total indifference to the mental and psychological scars that their victims will live with for the rest of their lives.”