Sherwood Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges Stemming from Online Participation in Sexual Exploitation of Children

LITTLE ROCK—Patrick C. Harris, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., announced today the arrest of William Thomas Murry, III, 60, of Sherwood, on multiple charges of possession and receipt of child pornography.

A federal grand jury indicted Murry on July 6, 2017, on one count of possession of child pornography and four counts of receipt of child pornography. In late 2015 and early 2016, HSI agents learned that an individual was participating in an online chatroom that was involved in the sharing of live child rapes and recorded child pornographic videos and pictures through webcam streaming. While this individual’s face was never visible, his bare torso and genitals were visible, as well as the background of what appeared to be an office with several distinguishing features.

Agents were able to determine that the IP address being utilized by the individual in the chatroom returned to the Kawasaki Sports Center at 5922 South University Ave., Little Rock. At the time, Murry owned the Kawasaki Sports Center.

On November 22, 2016, HSI/LR, Little Rock Police Department, and Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Special Investigations Division (AG/SID), executed a federal search warrant at the Kawasaki Sports Center.
Agents observed Murry’s office and determined it was the location where the individual was engaged in viewing child pornography in the online chatrooms. Murry also physically resembled the individual in the chatroom. After waiving his Miranda rights, agents interviewed Murry, who admitted to using the online network, but denied looking at child pornography.

A forensic exam was conducted on Murry’s work computer and his home laptop.

Murry’s work computer contained 65 still images and two video files containing child pornography. The computer also contained evidence of the online network. Murry’s home laptop contained 33 still images and four video files of child pornography. It also contained evidence of the online network.

Agents interviewed all the other employees of Kawasaki and eliminated them as the individual in the online chatroom.

“Too often people like Murry think they can hide behind a computer and receive gratification from watching children being sexually exploited,” said Harris. “This indictment sends the message that this depravity will not be tolerated.”

Possession of child pornography carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. Receipt of child pornography carries a statutory penalty of five to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release.

“No one is above the law when it comes to child exploitation,” Parmer, Jr. said. “HSI will continue working with our partner law enforcement agencies to ensure we find and arrest anyone involved in these heinous transnational crimes.”

Today, Murry turned himself into Homeland Security agents and was seen by United States Magistrate Judge Jerome T. Kearney. Judge Kearney released Murry on conditions to include electronic monitoring, no unsupervised contact with minors, and monitored internet access.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Special Investigations Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.

An indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.