(File Photo of a Gavel)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) On Thursday, a former missionary was arrested in Pittsburgh after he was accused of allegedly sexually abusing several minors in Tonga. Twenty-eight-year-old William James Purdy of West Valley, Utah got indicted on July 16th, 2025 on charges involving exploitation of minors outside the United States. According to a media release from the Department of Justice, Purdy allegedly abused multiple underage boys. This allegedly occurred during a 2017 mission from Purdy with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Purdy also allegedly groomed “numerous” male students over several years along with their alleged sexual abuse. According to authorities, Purdy allegedly provided gifts, including electronic devices and internet access, food, toys, and money in exchange for performing sexual acts. Purdy is also alleged of recording underage boys without them knowing in his bathroom at his various apartments in Tonga. This case is still under investigation.