Apocalyptic, polygamous Mormons prosecuted for having child brides.
Religion: Mormonism
Location: Utah, United States
Other Names: The Kingdom of God and His Law with the Keys of this Kingdom and Judgment on the Earth Now.
The world of religious movements is vast and diverse, encompassing a plethora of beliefs and practices. While most religious groups operate within the bounds of societal norms and legal frameworks, there are instances where extreme ideologies give rise to controversial cults. One such group is the Knights of the Crystal Blade, a doomsday sect that gained notoriety for its alleged involvement in child bigamy and abuse.
Origins of the Knights of the Crystal Blade
The Knights of the Crystal Blade was a digital-age cult that formed and grew in the shadows of social media. Founded by John Alvin Coltharp and Samuel Warren Shaffer, both in their mid-thirties, the cult’s ideology was a distorted pastiche of apocalyptic Mormon fundamentalism, polygamy, and millenarianism. They espoused a belief in an imminent end of the world, a cataclysm they linked to a “Muslim invasion,” positioning themselves as divinely chosen warriors preparing for these end times.
John Coltharp played a pivotal role in shaping the group’s ideology. A self-proclaimed doomsday prepper, Coltharp held extreme beliefs and was known for his rigid adherence to fundamentalist Mormonism. His actions and teachings reflected a distorted interpretation of religious scripture, leading him to establish a cult that operated outside the bounds of mainstream society.
Samuel Shaffer shared Coltharp’s radical beliefs and played a crucial role in expanding the cult’s influence. Shaffer, like Coltharp, believed in the imminent arrival of a cataclysmic event and subscribed to a fanatical interpretation of Mormon teachings. Together, Coltharp and Shaffer formed a formidable duo that would wreak havoc on the lives of innocent children.
Coltharp and Shaffer positioned themselves as modern-day prophets, with a self-assigned mission to lead their followers through the supposed coming apocalypse. Their leadership was marked by authoritarian control, with teachings that emphasized their unique interpretations of religious texts, combined with a heavy emphasis on prophecy and revelation. They used their self-proclaimed spiritual authority to justify criminal acts under the veneer of religious righteousness.
Abuse and Child Bigamy
The Knights of the Crystal Blade cult gained notoriety for its involvement in child bigamy and abuse. Disturbing reports emerged, revealing that the cult leaders had taken each other’s daughters as child brides. The victims, six children in total, four girls, and two boys, were subjected to physical and sexual abuse within the confines of the cult.
In December of 2017, the authorities became aware of the cult’s activities and initiated a rescue operation to save the children from their dire situation. John Coltharp’s two sons were the first to be rescued, leading the authorities to the cult’s compound. However, the search for Coltharp and Shaffer’s daughters proved more challenging. An Amber Alert was issued, and a race against time began to locate the missing girls before they fell victim to the harsh winter conditions.
During the search, law enforcement officers made a chilling discovery. Two of the girls were found in a deplorable state inside a single-wide trailer, while the other two were hidden inside an empty 50-gallon water drum, exposed to subfreezing temperatures. The rescuers acted swiftly, providing medical attention and removing the children from the clutches of their abusers.
Legal Consequences and Court Proceedings
The arrest of John Coltharp and Samuel Shaffer marked the beginning of a legal battle that would expose the shocking realities of the Knights of the Crystal Blade cult. Charges were filed against the cult leaders, ranging from child bigamy to child abuse, rape, and conspiracy.
John Alvin Coltharp was sentenced in Manti’s 6th District Court to a term of 26 years to life in prison. His crimes were heinous, involving the marriage and sexual abuse of his own underage daughter and the daughter of his co-leader, Shaffer.
During his trial and sentencing, Coltharp displayed a disturbing lack of remorse. He delivered lengthy, rambling speeches filled with apocalyptic prophecies and declared himself the reincarnation of various Old Testament prophets. His statements in court reflected a deeply deluded mind, one that saw his heinous actions as not only justified but sanctified.
Samuel Warren Shaffer, like Coltharp, was sentenced to a similar term for his role in the abuse and indoctrination of the children. Shaffer’s case is particularly disturbing as he was described as a “reluctant prophet” who, once indoctrinated by Coltharp’s teachings, fully embraced the role and its associated powers. His crimes included the sexual abuse of children, whom he claimed to have married in ‘celestial’ ceremonies. Shaffer, during his trial, expressed a twisted belief that his actions were divinely sanctioned, showing a concerning disconnect from the severity and moral depravity of his actions.
Samuel Shaffer initially pleaded guilty to rape of a child and child abuse charges. However, he later submitted a letter to Judge Matthew Bell, requesting to withdraw his guilty plea. Shaffer claimed that he was not in his right mind when he entered the plea and maintained his innocence; however, the judge ruled against his request.
The legal proceedings against Coltharp, Shaffer, and other cult members like Robert Roe were extensive and complex. Each trial brought to light more disturbing details about the cult’s beliefs and practices. Prosecutors, notably Sanpete County Attorney Kevin Daniels, expressed a fervent desire for harsh punishment, reflecting the community’s outrage and the need for justice.
The Aftermath and Impact on the Victims
As the legal battle continued, the victims of the Knights of the Crystal Blade cult faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. The rescued children were placed under the care of their mother, Micha Coltharp, in Colorado, while Shaffer’s daughters entered the custody of the Utah state authorities. The long-lasting emotional and psychological scars left by the cult’s abuse would require extensive support and healing for the victims to overcome.
An integral aspect of this case is the role of social media in the radicalization and organization of the cult. Platforms like Facebook provided a space where Coltharp and Shaffer could connect with like-minded individuals, share their distorted beliefs, and recruit members. This digital dimension added a layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the challenges that online platforms pose in monitoring and controlling the spread of extremist ideologies.
The Knights of the Crystal Blade cult stands as a stark reminder of the dark side of religious fervor and the devastating consequences of unchecked extremism. The cult’s leaders, John Coltharp and Samuel Shaffer, propagated a twisted ideology that led to the abuse and victimization of innocent children. Their actions serve as a solemn reminder of the need for vigilance and the protection of vulnerable individuals within society.
image via KUTV
