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A former missionary and teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has been arrested and federally charged in the United States for sexually abusing multiple Tongan boys during his time overseas, Tongan news outlet Kaniva Tonga reported today.
William James Purdy, 28, of West Valley, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 16 and taken into custody on July 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Purdy first traveled to Tonga in 2017 as an LDS missionary. According to federal prosecutors, he used his role as a trusted community figure to groom vulnerable boys—offering gifts, money, and electronics in exchange for sexual acts. Authorities also allege that he secretly recorded minors in his bathroom across several residences in Tonga.
In 2022, Purdy was arrested by Tongan authorities after an eight-year-old child disclosed abuse that allegedly occurred during tutoring sessions. Although released on bail, Purdy reportedly continued to abuse children and ultimately fled Tonga in March 2023 under a false identity—just before his scheduled trial.
“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 U.S. Department of Justice. “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.”
Purdy now awaits trial in the United States, where federal prosecutors have stated their intention to seek the maximum penalty. If convicted, he could face decades behind bars.
At Least 14 Victims Identified So Far
Investigators have identified 14 boys in Tonga who say they were abused by Purdy. Some reportedly lived with him while he was teaching in the capital, Nuku’alofa.
The case was built through collaboration between the Tonga Police, the Tongan Department of Public Prosecutions, and U.S. federal agencies, including the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
Federal authorities say the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation worldwide.
Tonga has the highest per capita population of Latter-day Saints in the world, with over 60% of its approximately 105,000 residents affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church has maintained a strong presence in Tonga since the late 1800s and currently oversees numerous congregations, schools, and missions across the island nation. Its influence extends deeply into community life, education, and leadership—making allegations of abuse within the LDS missionary system especially sensitive and far-reaching in Tongan society.
While Purdy’s arrest is a step toward justice for survivors, the case raises broader concerns about institutional accountability and transparency within the LDS Church’s global outreach. Survivors and advocates have long criticized the Church for a lack of oversight in missionary placements and insufficient support for victims, particularly in international contexts where social stigma and power dynamics make reporting abuse even harder.
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse connected to LDS missions, clergy, or Church-affiliated institutions, you may have legal options. Learn more through our LDS Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide. And if you’re ready to see if you may qualify for a financial settlement, fill out the brief, confidential form below.
