Former Mormon missionary William James Purdy, 28, arrested on child sexual abuse charges. He allegedly sexually abused children during and after his mission in Tonga in 2017. At least 14 victims identified so far.
Case report: https://floodlit.org/a/e993/
William Purdy was a Mormon missionary in Tonga in 2017. He was originally from Utah.
In July 2025, Purdy was arrested in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after a federal grand jury indictment on charges related to child sexual exploitation.
As of July 24, 2025, the investigation had identified 14 minor victims throughout Tonga.
According to a US Department of Justice press release:
“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.”
If you knew Purdy, please contact us: https://floodlit.org/contact/
Please support our ongoing reporting on sex abuse in the LDS church: https://floodlit.org/get-involved/
