Mormon Church responds to allegations against American missionary accused of abusing Tongan boys

10:19 am on 30 July 2025

Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

An 1835, first edition of the Mormon scripture, "Doctrine and Covenants", revelations from Mormon Church Founder Joseph Smith, is displayed at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church History Library. Photo: AFP

Content warning: This story discusses the sexual abuse of children.

The Mormon Church claims it is unclear whether an American missionary - who allegedly sexually abused boys in Tonga - did so under their roof.

William James Purdy was indicted by a federal grand jury in Utah on 16 July on charges related to the exploitation of 14 boys outside the United States.

The United States Department of Justice said court documents revealed Purdy travelled to the Tongan capital, Nuku'alofa, in 2017 for a one-year mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The then 20-year-old allegedly preyed on multiple male victims during his year with the church before returning to the US.

"Purdy returned to Tonga in late 2019 to teach at a school in Nuku'alofa, where, for years, he groomed and sexually abused numerous male students, some of whom lived with him," court documents showed.

"Purdy allegedly provided gifts, including electronic decives and access to the internet, food, toys and money, in exchange for the performance of sexual acts."

He is believed to have secretly recorded young boys in his bathroom at his various apartments in the capital.

He was arrested by Tongan police in October 2022, after an eight-year-old school boy disclosed that Purdy sexually assaulted him during their tutoring sessions.

However, he continued to offend after being released on bail from prison and in March 2023, with a trial looming, fled the country using a fake passport.

Richard Hunter, the Mormon Church's spokesperson for the Pacific area, said the organisation 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.

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."

"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.

Homeland security investigations and diplomatic security service are investigating the case, with the help of Tongan police and the Tongan department of public prosecutions.

The investigation has so far identified 14 victims throughout Tonga.

"The defendant 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 General Matthew Galeotti of the US justice department's criminal division.

"When foreign authorities sought to hold him accountable, he fled back to the US. The US will not export child exploitation. The department is committed to securing justice for children exploited overseas when these heinous acts are committed by Americans." Galeotti said.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Philadelphia special agent in charge Edward Owens said Purdy's actions represented a "profound betrayal of trust and have caused immeasurable harm to the young lives he was supposed to protect and nurture."

"Our global reach and partnerships are crucial in our relentless fight against child predators, ensuring that those who exploit and abuse children, no matter where they are, are brought to justice," Owens said.