Norfolk, VA – A serial child molester was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after being convicted of possession of child pornography and other charges.
The defendant, Michael Murphy, 68, of Norfolk, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on Dec. 28, 2016. According to court documents, Murphy was identified by the Norfolk Police Department in March 2016 when a 9-year-old girl disclosed that she was being molested by Murphy.
Murphy’s electronics were seized and analyzed, which resulted in the discovery of child pornography images that Murphy had collected on the Internet. Murphy was a registered sex offender, having been convicted in Norfolk courts of various offenses: in 1993 of attempted statutory rape and sodomy; in 1994 of production of child pornography, carnal knowledge, and sodomy; and in 2006 of indecent liberties with children. Murphy’s minor victims have ranged from 4 years old to 14 years old.
This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Murphy’s sentence was announced by Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael K. Lamonea, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk; and Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police.
Murphy was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes