Domestic & True CrimeIndependent: Polygamous sect leader convicted of child abuse after girls found in unventilated trailer
"A polygamous sect leader, already serving a lengthy federal prison sentence for orchestrating child sex acts, has been convicted on state child abuse charges after three girls were found confined in an unventilated trailer he was hauling through Arizona.
Authorities were alerted in August 2022 by someone who spotted small fingers reaching through gaps in the trailer doors. Police subsequently stopped Samuel Bateman's vehicle in Flagstaff, discovering three girls, aged 11 to 14, inside. The enclosed trailer was equipped with a makeshift toilet, a sofa, and camping chairs.
This latest conviction adds to Bateman's existing 50-year federal sentence. In that case, he was found guilty of coercing girls as young as nine into sex acts with himself and other young adults, and for plotting to kidnap girls from protective custody.
His federal crimes are the subject of the Netflix series Trust Me: The False Prophet."
Research & Academic
Self-Help Recovery from Coercive Control
Many survivors of coercive control struggle to access support in the aftermath of their experiences. An absence of professionals with appropriate training, financial limitations, isolation, and lack of trust are just a few reasons many survivors find themselves alone in their recovery journey.
This study aims to better understand self-help recovery processes.
Interview Participants needed:
Survivors of any type of coercive control whose recovery process has included some element of self-help; they may have also had professional support, but not necessarily. Candidates will have been out of the controlled environment for 12 months or more.
Researcher: Anami Shucart, A.T.Shucart@edu.salford.ac.uk
Supervisor: Rod Dubrow-Marshall, R.Dubrow-Marshall@salford.ac.uk
For more information, please visit: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/salford/self-help-recovery-from-coercive-control-an-interview-based-exp
Science
Brooklyn Balance: What No One Told Me About the Medicine I Was Taking
In this blog post, Josh Jupiter recounts a distressing experience with an underground "plant medicine" group, highlighting the critical importance of informed consent.
The author describes being invited to a group led by a facilitator who projected professionalism and safety while maintaining an air of exclusivity and mystery. Participants were encouraged to "Trust, Let Go, Be Open" (TLO)—a mantra the author later realized discouraged critical thinking and masked a lack of transparency. Despite an initial screening process that appeared thorough, participants were never informed about the actual substances they were being given, which were vaguely labeled as "heart openers" or "plant medicine."
Through his own research and piecing together information over time, Jupiter discovered that the substances included MDA, MDMA, Syrian Rue, and barbiturates. He emphasizes the danger of this lack of disclosure, noting that Syrian Rue—an MAO inhibitor—can create life-threatening pharmacological interactions when combined with other substances like MDMA, particularly for individuals with specific health conditions or those taking other medications.
The piece serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of high-demand or unregulated groups that prioritize secrecy over safety. Jupiter concludes that without clear, honest communication about what is being consumed, true informed consent is impossible, leaving participants vulnerable to significant physical and psychological harm. This experience was a foundational moment in his shift toward his current professional work in advocacy and education.
ICSA: Mike Kropveld Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award
On July 4th, during the closing ceremony of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) annual conference in San Diego (United States), Mike Kropveld, founder and executive director of Info-Cult, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, an award of excellence presented by the ICSA in recognition of his entire career.
This award is presented in recognition of sustained, long-term contributions to the field of cultic studies and to ICSA’s mission. It honors individuals whose careers reflect enduring commitment, scholarly or professional excellence, and meaningful impact on research, education, practice, or public understanding of coercive control and high-control groups.
Thanks to ICSA for recognizing Info-Cult’s mission for the past 45 years!
AI Research Disclosure: To bring you the most relevant stories, parts of this newsletter utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools to search the web, source articles, and assist with content curation. This content is for informational purposes only; we recommend verifying critical facts independently.
The selection of articles for CultNEWS101 does not imply that Patrick Ryan, Joseph Kelly, or Ashlen Hilliard endorse the content. We provide information from multiple perspectives to foster dialogue.
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