A federal case against an Arizona-based polygamist fundamentalist cult has widened, with seven members being charged for the first time in a 53-felony-count indictment against them and their leader, Samuel Bateman.

Federal prosecutors filed the extensive indictment on May 18, replacing a more limited one against Bateman and three followers. The U.S. Attorney's Office now accuses Bateman, the self-proclaimed prophet of a splinter group of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and 10 others of causing sexual harm to nine girls whose ages ranged from 9 to 17 at the time the alleged offenses took place.

The new accusations rely, in part, on Bateman's own writings and remarks from some of the girls, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona. The new indictment revealed stories of Bateman coercing little girls to have sex with him and other adults, trading nights with girls for luxury Bentley cars, coercing children into participating in livestreamed group sex acts and transporting across state lines the girls for sexual trade.

Originally charged: Bateman had been charged in December, along with Naomi Bistline, Donnae Barlow and Moretta Johnson, all of whom Bateman claimed to be his wives.

Originally, the four faced charges of kidnapping and destruction of evidence in a federal investigation. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed affidavits describing sexual coercion but had not filed charges against them.

Newly charged: Josephine Barlow Bistline, LaDell Bistline Jr., Brenda Barlow, Marona Johnson, Torrance Bistline, Leia Bistline, and Leilani Bistline were added to the indictment on May 18. They are all relatives, followers and others Bateman claimed as wives.

Now, the 11 co-defendants face an assortment of charges ranging from making child pornography to transporting kids for sex.

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What happened?

On Aug. 28, Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers saw a GMC Denali pulled over on Interstate 40. They noticed a child's hand poking out of a trailer in tow and then arrested Samuel Rappylee Bateman. He was booked into a Coconino County jail on suspicion of child endangerment, but he returned home.

Why is the FBI involved?

Federal agents grew suspicious that Bateman was deleting records off a cellphone app during his arrest and communicating with supporters in Colorado City while he was in jail. On Sept. 13, agents searched his home there. On Sept. 15, he appeared in federal court on new federal charges dealing with interfering with destruction of records.

Who is Samuel Bateman?

He is 46 and a leader of an FLDS sect in Colorado City. Beyond that, much is still not known about him. He calls himself a prophet, according to Colorado City and Hilldale residents.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: FLDS leader Samuel Bateman, 10 others indicted in federal case