A former US mormon missionary was arrested yesterday, 24 July, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors in Tonga.

The Office of Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of Justice released a statement [2] on Thursday, that the accused, William James Purdy [3] (28) of West Valley, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on 16 July on the charges.

“The defendant in this case chose to travel abroad under the guise of good intentions and then sexually exploited and abused children who had been trusted to his care,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “When foreign authorities sought to hold him accountable, he fled back to the United States. The United States will not export child exploitation. The Justice Department is committed to securing justice for children exploited overseas when these heinous acts are committed by Americans.”

“William James Purdy's actions represent a profound betrayal of trust and have caused immeasurable harm to the young lives he was supposed to protect and nurture,” said Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia.

“HSI's global reach and partnerships are crucial in our relentless fight against child predators, ensuring that those who exploit and abuse children, no matter where they are, are brought to justice. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and will continue to work tirelessly to prevent such heinous crimes.”

According to court documents, Purdy, a U.S. Citizen, traveled to Tonga in 2017 for his mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While in Tonga, the Office of Public Affairs stated Purdy allegedly sexually abused multiple minor boys.

It stated Purdy then returned to Tonga in late 2019 to teach at a school in Nuku’alofa.

"For years, Purdy allegedly groomed and sexually abused numerous male students, some of whom lived with him. Purdy allegedly provided gifts, including electronic devices and access to the internet, food, toys, and money, in exchange for the performance of sexual acts. Purdy is also alleged to have surreptitiously recorded minor males in his bathroom at his various Tonga apartments."

The Office of Public Affairs stated that the accused was arrested by Tonga Police in 2022, when an eight‑year‑old boy disclosed that Purdy sexually assaulted him. However, he fled to the U.S. after being released from jail, prior to his trial.

"Purdy was arrested by Tonga police in October 2022, when an eight‑year‑old boy disclosed that Purdy sexually assaulted him during their tutoring sessions. When Purdy was released from jail, he allegedly continued to sexually abuse children. In March 2023, just prior to his scheduled trial, Purdy fled Tonga using an assumed identity and returned to Utah. The investigation thus far has identified 14 minor victims throughout Tonga."

International cooperation in justice

Tonga Police today commended on the collaborative efforts in the case, stating, "Tonga Police commend the collaborative efforts of our local team, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service in the arrest of a former missionary accused of heinous crimes against children in Tonga. This case underscores the critical importance of international cooperation in pursuing justice and protecting the most vulnerable."

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) are investigating the case, with the substantial assistance of the Tonga Police and the Tongan Department of Public Prosecutions.

Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Joey L. Blanch for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.