A former high school science teacher, Andrew Murphy, has been found guilty of possessing child sexual abuse materials by a federal jury in Aberdeen, Mississippi. Following three days of trial before Senior District Judge Glen H. Davidson, Murphy, aged 36, was convicted. Sentencing is set for July 28, 2025, at the U.S. Courthouse in Aberdeen, Mississippi.
During the trial, evidence showed that Murphy collected images depicting child exploitation, nudity, erotica, and children engaged in sexual acts using a peer-to-peer network. The potential penalties for Murphy include up to ten years in prison, five years to lifetime supervised release, and registration as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Parker King and John Herzog in clearly establishing Murphy's guilt. “The case presented to the jury by AUSAs Parker King and John Herzog clearly established the guilt of this teacher who possessed images that demonstrated his sexual interest in children," said Joyner. He underscored the importance of collaboration with local and federal law enforcement in protecting children.
Attorney General Lynn Fitch emphasized the commitment to holding predators accountable, particularly those in positions of trust. “For every image of child pornography there is a child who is a victim and who will relive his or her abuse over and over again while that image circulates," Fitch stated.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office reiterated the agency's dedication to protecting minors. "Murphy held a position of trust and violated that trust that our communities had in him with these heinous crimes against our youth; it will not be tolerated," Eikhoff said.
The case was managed through the efforts of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Parker S. King and John Herzog. The initiatives are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide project aimed at combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse. The Department of Justice oversees this initiative, utilizing federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders while also seeking to rescue victims.
For further information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.