DETROIT–A former priest was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Wednesday for possession and distribution of child pornography following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Timothy Murray, 63, of Novi, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in July 2013.
According to court records, Murray used peer-to-peer software to trade child pornography with others, including an undercover HSI special agent. A search warrant executed at Murray’s home recovered at least seven different computer devices containing videos and images of child pornography. Murray’s collection included more than 650 movies and 450 images of child pornography. Murray had previously served as a Catholic priest within the Archdiocese of Detroit before being removed from public ministry when substantiated allegations of Murray’s prior sexual abuse of a young boy came to light.
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade stated, “The hands-on sexual abuse that led to his removal from public ministry by the Catholic Church had long-lasting effects on the defendant’s prior victim. Similarly, the victims depicted in his extensive collection of child pornography suffered greatly not only at the hands of their abusers, but by those, like the defendant, who collect and continue to view the permanent depictions of their abuse.”
“For a former priest to engage in the depraved activity for which he is being sentenced is reprehensible,” said Marlon Miller, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit. “Today’s sentencing will hopefully bring a measure of closure to those affected by his actions. Cases like these serve to strengthen HSI’s resolve to aggressively pursue child predators.”
