Union Man Senteced on Child Pornography Charges

St. Louis, MO – Corey Murphy, 26, of Union, Missouri was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment to be followed by lifetime supervision for receiving child pornography in 2016.  Murphy pleaded guilty in March and appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Catherine D. Perry for sentencing.

According to his plea agreement, Murphy first came to the attention of law enforcement on suspicion of statutory rape of a 15-year-old in Pacific in 2016.  Initial investigation by that victim’s aunt and the Pacific Police Department through social media confirmed the encounter and revealed that Murphy was in contact via social media accounts with numerous 14 and 15-year-old girls.  Murphy’s smart phone was seized when Murphy was arrested on unrelated charges and searched pursuant to Murphy’s consent.  On Murphy’s smartphone, police found text communications with the victim and a locked app containing images of child pornography which Murphy admitted he had obtained through a communication app on his smartphone.  Forensic analysis of Murphy’s smartphone also revealed search histories consistent with a child pornography seeker.

As the investigation continued, Murphy admitted to the FBI he had carried on an inappropriate relationship with another 14-year-old girl during which he provided the second victim with marijuana.

“This case was born out of the vigilance and the bravery of a concerned family member.  All parents should be aware of the dangers lurking for children in the world of social media.  I applaud the work of the Pacific Police Department, the St. Louis County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI and all partners in the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood for their good work in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen.