- William James Purdy, 28, was arrested on federal charges of abusing minors in Tonga.
- He traveled to Tonga for a Latter-day Saint mission then returned to teach at a school.
- Purdy was indicted by a federal grand jury and is accused of abusing 14 victims while living in Tonga.
WEST VALLEY CITY — A West Valley man was arrested Thursday on federal charges accusing him of sexually abusing minors in Tonga while he was a missionary and when he later returned to teach at a school.
William James Purdy, 28, was arrested Thursday in Pittsburgh for charges related to exploitation of minors outside the U.S. from a July 16 indictment by a federal grand jury.
"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 in a statement. "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."
Purdy traveled to Tonga in 2017 for a Latter-day Saint mission and while there, he sexually abused "multiple minor boys," according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He returned to Tonga in late 2019 to teach at a school in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
"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," the Department of Justice said. He is also accused of secretly recording boys in his bathroom at various apartments while living in Tonga.
Purdy was arrested in October 2022 by Tonga police after an 8-year-old boy accused Purdy of sexually assaulting him during 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 Department of Justice said.
Investigators have identified a total of 14 alleged victims throughout Tonga.
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Edward V. Owens called Purdy's alleged actions a "profound betrayal of trust" that caused "immeasurable harm to the young lives he was supposed to protect and nurture."
