A federal jury has found LaDell Jay Bistline, Jr., 45, and Torrance Bistline, 36, both of Colorado City, Arizona, guilty of multiple charges related to their participation in a years-long child sexual abuse conspiracy that spanned several states and victimized at least 10 children.
The Bistlines committed their crimes with others, including co-defendant Samuel Rappylee Bateman, the self-proclaimed leader of a religious sect based in Colorado City. Bateman and nine of his other followers pleaded guilty to charges related to the child sexual abuse conspiracy and were not part of the trial against brothers LaDell Jay and Torrance Bistline.
LaDell Jay was convicted of one count of Receipt of Child Pornography; one count of Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor; two counts of Persuading or Coercing Travel to Engage in Sexual Activity; two counts of Using a Means of Interstate Commerce to Persuade or Coerce a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity; and two counts of Transportation of a Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity.
Torrance was convicted of 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; and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with an Official Proceeding.
LaDell Jay and Torrance Bistline were followers of Bateman, who represented himself as a religious prophet. In 2020 and 2021, Bateman’s followers gave their minor daughters and wards to him as child “brides” to sexually abuse. Bateman and others transported the victims between states, including Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona to facilitate the sexual abuse.
LaDell Jay delivered two of his own daughters to Bateman to become child “brides” when the girls were nine and 11 years old. LaDell Jay also participated in group sexual activity involving children, including one event he watched over a video livestream. Torrance, who financially supported Bateman’s group, sexually abused one of Bateman’s child “brides” during a group sexual activity. Torrance later tried to destroy and hide evidence to interfere with the investigation.
LaDell Jay and Torrance Bistline each face a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Sentencing for LaDell Jay is currently scheduled for December 16, 2024, and sentencing for Torrance is currently scheduled for December 20, 2024.
Bateman is currently scheduled to be sentenced on October 28, 2024.
