The Netflix documentary “Trust Me: The False Prophet” pulls back the curtain on a truly unsettling and heartbreaking tale, exposing the polygamous sect led by Samuel Bateman. This man, a self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), amassed over twenty “spiritual wives,” a chilling number that included ten underage girls. The four-part series is a testament to the incredible bravery and dedication of documentary makers Christine Marie and Tolga Katas, who painstakingly and stealthily gathered evidence of Bateman’s sex trafficking and the horrific abuse he inflicted upon his victims. Through their work, a spotlight is cast on the devastating impact of such cults and the sheer resilience of those who manage to escape.
Central to this harrowing narrative is Naomi, one of Bateman’s former wives. Her story is particularly poignant as she was coerced into this life by her own cousin, a seemingly small detail that underscores the insidious and family-level manipulation often at play within these communities. Naomi, known as ‘Nomz’ by some, was in her early twenties when she was drawn into Bateman’s orbit, becoming his thirteenth wife. Raised within a Mormon background, she was relentlessly harassed and worn down by Bateman, who expertly exploited her existing beliefs. Her cousin, Netty, painted a stark picture of Naomi’s mental state, describing how Naomi was “mentally exhausted” and no longer had “a mind of her own” by the time she married Bateman. He had already planted the seeds of his twisted ideology, convincing her that “Heavenly Father impressed me to tell you that you belong to my family.” This psychological warfare highlights how vulnerability, coupled with manipulative religious rhetoric, can lead individuals down such a dark path.
Naomi’s own words in the documentary are particularly chilling, revealing the depth of her indoctrination and the profound sense of belonging she sought. Initially, she recounts going “stone cold,” convinced that Bateman’s path “has to be right.” Her declaration, “The only thing I regret is that I didn’t go [to Sam] sooner,” speaks volumes about the emotional and spiritual void she felt and how Bateman expertly filled it with his deceptive promises. When asked by Christine Marie how her life had changed under Bateman, her response – “What more could a girl ask for but just to belong somewhere?” – perfectly encapsulates the desperate yearning for acceptance that many cult leaders exploit. The documentary also features an unsettling video Bateman made with Marie and Katas, intended for YouTube, audaciously hoping to lure even Queen Elizabeth II into his flock. This video, which included Naomi and clearly underage girls singing, became crucial evidence submitted to the FBI, solidifying the charges against Bateman for abusing multiple women and girls.
The turning point for Naomi and many others came on August 28, 2022, when Bateman was pulled over by police while driving with multiple women and girls in the back of his truck. In a display of her deep-seated loyalty and indoctrination, Naomi desperately tried to defend him, imploring the police to “You have to let him go!” and instructing the other women not to speak. Her later reflection, “In our minds, we’re like celebrities [for choosing to live a life totally dedicated to God],” offers a glimpse into the distorted reality she inhabited. A month later, the FBI finally raided their home, a moment Naomi remembers as “weird.” She was in the shower when the FBI announced their presence, and she was among the first to exit, facing a line of agents. Initially, under strong psychological influence, she “lied a lot” during her interview. The women and girls were separated, with the minors taken into state care. In a desperate act driven by Bateman’s instructions from prison, Naomi attempted to retrieve the children, leading to her evading eight police officers. However, after a night in hiding, she bravely turned herself in, marking the true beginning of her escape.
Naomi’s 21 months in prison proved to be her crucible, a period of profound introspection where the foundations of her beliefs began to crack. Away from Bateman’s constant manipulation and the suffocating environment of the FLDS community, she started to question everything. The realization dawned on her that she wasn’t in love with Bateman; instead, she had been blinded by fear and raised in a web of lies, inadvertently perpetuated by her parents and the Mormon community. This awakening was a painful but necessary process. Looking back, she describes the person she was as “an entirely different person. It’s very disturbing, beyond what anybody could fathom,” a poignant admission of the psychological transformation she underwent. Her journey from deep indoctrination to self-awareness is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for re-evaluation and growth, even after years of profound manipulation.
Today, Naomi is a beacon of hope and resilience, having courageously broken free from Bateman and the FLDS. She is now embracing a life of freedom, actively pursuing higher education by studying psychology in college. Her social media presence is dedicated to sharing her inspiring fresh start, offering a glimpse into her new world. She’s globetrotting, experiencing things she once only dreamed of, including modeling for documentary maker Tolga Katas. Her participation in the Netflix documentary underscores her commitment to shedding light on the dark corners of the cult and helping others avoid similar fates. Naomi’s powerful words, “I believed he was my only way to heaven, back to God, if he held the keys to my salvation anything I did would damn me if he didn’t approve of it,” illustrate the profound control Bateman had over her. Her subsequent revelation, “So I was going to be submissive, obedient, the perfect wife. I became a master at gaging how he wanted me to respond,” highlights the deep psychological burden she carried. Her Instagram post from September 4, 2025, perfectly encapsulates her journey: “One year ago today, I walked out of the courthouse with no clear picture of what my future held. I was terrified, uncertain, and felt like I had lived a life smashed into submission in some way. Dreaming big was impossible at the time. But the moment I began to take small steps and try new things, and the more freedom I felt, the more I wanted.” She speaks of a “transformation,” traveling, making new friends, reconnecting with old ones, pushing past fears, and uncovering “potential I didn’t know I had.” Naomi’s story is a powerful reminder that even after unimaginable trauma, healing and a vibrant, self-determined life are possible.