A 68-year-old registered sex offender, Michael Murphy of Norfolk, Va., was sentenced to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Murphy pleaded guilty to the charge on Dec. 28, 2016. The case against him began in March 2016 when a 9-year-old girl disclosed that she was being molested by Murphy, leading to his arrest and the seizure of his electronics.
The subsequent analysis of Murphy’s electronics revealed a collection of child pornography images that he had obtained from the Internet. This was not Murphy’s first offense, as he was previously convicted in Norfolk courts of various crimes, including attempted statutory rape and sodomy in 1993, production of child pornography, carnal knowledge, and sodomy in 1994, and indecent liberties with children in 2006.
Murphy’s history of abuse is alarming, with his minor victims ranging in age from 4 to 14 years old. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, and marshals federal, state, and local resources to achieve its goals. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The sentencing of Michael Murphy 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 Homeland Security Investigations Norfolk; and Larry D. Boone, Chief of Norfolk Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth M. Yusi, and the sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen.
A copy of the press release and related court documents can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, as well as the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:16-cr-115. The sentencing of Michael Murphy serves as a reminder of the importance of initiatives like Project Safe Childhood in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.
RELATED: Louisiana Man Gets 12+ Years for Meth Trafficking
RELATED: Ohio Man Gets Time Served for Sneaking Across Border
Related Federal Cases
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Live Nation & Ticketmaster Face Antitrust Fight in NY · Washington
- Wen Ping Chen Gets 12 Months for Credit Card Fraud Ring · Indiana
- LA AG Warns Banks on Firearm Purchase Tracking · Indiana
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes