Torrance Bistline, a 36-year-old man from Colorado City, Arizona, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich. This sentence, delivered on April 28, 2025, is followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
Bistline was convicted by a jury on October 2, 2024, on several charges: one count of using interstate commerce to persuade a minor into sexual activity, two counts of destruction of records in an official proceeding, one conspiracy count related to record destruction, one count of tampering with an official proceeding, and another conspiracy count related to tampering.
Bistline's conviction stems from his involvement in a child sexual abuse conspiracy spanning multiple states, affecting at least ten children. His offenses were in association with Samuel Rappylee Bateman, leader of a religious sect in Colorado City. In 2020 and 2021, Bateman’s followers allegedly provided him with minors as "brides" for sexual exploitation. Bateman and ten associates have previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and were excluded from Bistline’s trial.
Evidence at Bistline’s trial indicated his participation in sexually abusing one of the minors during a group activity. He is also accused of concealing evidence to obstruct the ensuing investigation. Additionally, Bistline is said to have provided financial assistance, including luxury vehicles, to support the abuse ring.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Phoenix Field Office, with prosecution carried out by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. The prosecution expressed gratitude to the Arizona Department of Child Safety for helping protect the children involved, with additional thanks to various law enforcement agencies that assisted, including the Colorado City Police Department, the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the St. George FBI Resident Agency.