Guilty plea by leader of polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border is at risk of being thrown out

PHOENIX (AP) — A guilty plea by the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border is at risk of being thrown out due to an unmet condition of his deal that hinged on whether others charged in the case also would plead guilty. Under the terms of Samuel Bateman’s deal, prosecutors can withdraw his guilty plea after two other men charged in the case rejected plea offers and are now headed to trial. Prosecutors are not obliged to do so, however. They declined to say Friday what they intend to do. Authorities say Bateman led a scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children.