Second defendant in doomsday cult child sex case pleads guilty

Second defendant in doomsday cult child sex case pleads guilty

The second member of a doomsday cult accused of child sex abuse has pleaded guilty in Sanpete County and been sentenced to a long prison term.  Samuel Shaffer entered his guilty plea to first degree felony sodomy on a child on Wednesday and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.  That sentence will run concurrent with a 26-year to life sentence handed down in Iron County on similar charges.  Sanpete County Attorney Kevin Daniels said he agreed to the 15 year sentence, rather than the statutory 25 years, because of Shaffer’s willingness to testify against John Coltharp, another member of the Knights of the Crystal Blade.  Coltharp has pleaded guilty for his participation in child sex abuse due to the cult’s belief in child marriage and will be sentenced on August 1.  Shaffer and Coltharp married each other’s 7 and 8-year old daughters, as well as betrothing themselves to their own younger daughters.   Shaffer told Judge Marvin Bagley he sincerely believed child marriage was a correct principle and said he didn’t realize he was hurting the child.  He stated he now knows that wasn’t correct.

When asked why he chose to pursue charges in Sanpete County in light of the 26-year sentence already imposed on Shaffer, Daniels said he wanted the victims to know Shaffer had been held accountable for his actions in both counties.  He also stated Shaffer’s willingness to testify against Coltharp if that case went to trial was instrumental in settling the case.  Daniels said he has been to visit the victims and said that even though a lot of damage was done, they are all doing well.

A third man, Robert Roe of Castro Valley, California, has also been charged with child sodomy and has made an initial appearance in court.  His waiver hearing has been set for July 18.