The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a statement following the arrest of James William Purdy, 28, of West Valley, Utah, who faces federal charges in the United States for allegedly sexually abusing minors in Tonga during and after his missionary service.
Purdy was arrested in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 24, following a federal indictment issued on July 16, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Purdy traveled to Tonga in 2017 for his mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
While there, he allegedly sexually abused multiple minor boys. Purdy 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.
Purdy was alleged to have surreptitiously recorded minor males in his bathroom at his various Tonga apartments.
Tongan police arrested Purdy in October 2022 after an eight-year-old boy disclosed being sexually assaulted during tutoring sessions. Despite being released from jail, Purdy allegedly continued to abuse children and fled Tonga in March 2023 using a forged passport, just before his scheduled trial
The Mormon Church’s Pacific Area spokesperson, Richard Hunter, based in Auckland, said the Church was taking the allegations “very seriously.”
“It is unclear at this stage if he was involved in abuse as a missionary with us, my colleagues in Tonga were unaware of this until now,” said Hunter, who is based in Auckland, was quoted by RNZ as saying.
However, he admitted that it was “absolutely possible” that offending did occur while he was working with children on his mission.
“If our mission leaders in Tonga were aware of this, he would have been sent home immediately for breaking both the law and the commandments of God,” he said.
“We feel very sad for those whose lives have been impacted so horrendously. I’m hoping there will be opportunities in Tonga for victims to receive love and support from our congregations.
He said the church was co-operating with the police in Tonga and the US in all aspects of their pre-trial investigations.
Where to get help
In Tonga
- Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) Tonga, +676 22240
In New Zealand
- Road Forward Trust, Wellington, contact Richard 0211181043
- Better Blokes Auckland, 099902553
- The Canterbury Men’s Centre, 03 3776747
- The Male Room, Nelson 035480403
- Male Survivors, Waikato 07 8584112
- Male Survivors, Otago 0211064598
