LaDell Jay Bistline, Jr., a 46-year-old resident of Colorado City, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich. The sentencing follows his conviction on October 2, 2024, for multiple charges including Receipt of Child Pornography and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor. Additional charges include Persuading or Coercing Travel to Engage in Sexual Activity, Using Interstate Commerce to Persuade or Coerce a Minor for Sexual Activity, and Transportation of a Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity.
Bistline's involvement was part of an extensive child sexual abuse conspiracy affecting at least ten children across several states. His co-defendant, Samuel Rappylee Bateman, identified as the leader of a religious sect in Colorado City, along with ten other followers, had previously pleaded guilty to related charges but were not involved in Bistline's trial.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Bistline had delivered two of his daughters to Bateman as child "brides" when they were nine and eleven years old. The crimes involved transporting victims across state lines including Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona for the purpose of sexual abuse. Additionally, Bistline engaged in group sexual activities involving minors and participated in one event via video livestream.
The investigation was conducted by the Phoenix Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while prosecution was managed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Phoenix. Acknowledgments were extended to various agencies such as the Arizona Department of Child Safety for their role in rescuing affected children, alongside law enforcement bodies like the Colorado City Police Department and Iron County Sheriff’s Office.