Amish Cult Leader Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
The attorney for Amish bishop Samuel Mullet, Sr. urged a Cleveland federal judge Friday morning to give their client a one-and-a-half to two-year…
The attorney for Amish bishop Samuel Mullet, Sr. urged a Cleveland federal judge Friday morning to give their client a one-and-a-half to two-year prison term for hate crimes committed against fellow Amish.
But Judge Daniel Polster sentenced the 67-year-old Amish man to 15 years, saying Mullet deserves “the longest and harshest sentence.”
He said Mullet should be considered “a danger to the community” because of his control over cult followers and others remaining in the small southeastern Ohio community of Bergholz.
The bishop, leader of a splinter Amish group, and 15 co-conspirators were found guilty in September 2012 of hair- and beard-cutting attacks on Amish critical of their divergent religious beliefs and actions.
The five separate attacks occurred in 2011 in Jefferson, Holmes and Carroll counties in southeastern Ohio.
The defense previously asked for the Amish defendants to receive light sentences so they could return to Bergholz and raise their families.
Prior to sentencing, however, Polster’s courtroom was filled to capacity as Mullet told the judge he took sole responsibility for the attacks, even though he did not participate in them.
“I’m an old man and not long for this world,” said Mullet. “If somebody needs to be blamed for this, and I’m a cult leader, I’m willing to take the blame for everybody.”
But federal prosecutors contended Mullet deserved life in prison for encouraging his followers to punish Amish who spoke out against the splinter group’s unconventional beliefs.
Mullet was convicted of planning the attacks and concealing evidence, including a camera used to photograph the attacks.
The camera was later discovered during the FBI investigation of the attacks.
Investigators found Mullet was also practicing sex education on the wives of several followers, including having sex with several women, claiming he could help them improve their sex lives for their husbands.
Three of Mullet’s sons were also sentenced.
Johnny Mullet was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Lester and Daniel Mullet each received five years.
Those given seven-year sentences each were Levi Miller, Lester Miller and Eli Miller, while Emanuel Schrock received five years and Raymond Miller and Linda Schrock each received two years.
Anna Miller, Lovina Miller, Emma Miller, Elizabeth Miller and Kathryn Miller were all sentenced to one year and a day.
All 16 defendants can appeal their sentences.
Following sentencing, U.S. Attorney Steve Dettelbach told reporters he was pleased by Samuel Mullet’s sentence, calling him a “thug” and “bully” who belongs behind bars.
The case has drawn local attention because the elder Mullet was raised on a farm on Bundysburg Road, the boarder of Geauga and Trumbull counties, and was known in the Amish Geauga Settlement.
