Former Novi Priest Sentenced to Almost 16 Years for Child Porn

Source: news release

Timothy Murray, 63, of Novi, who pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in July was 
sentenced Thursday to 188 months in federal prison, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced.

According to court records, Murray used peer-to-peer software to trade child pornography with others, including an undercover DHS Homeland Security 
Investigations (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. His collection included over 650 movies and over 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. 

“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," McQuade said.

Marlon Miller, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit, said Murray's sentencing will hopefully bring a measure of closure to those affected by his actions. 

"For a former priest to engage in the depraved activity for which he is being sentenced is reprehensible,” Miller said.

See previous stories about Murray on Novi Patch:
Former Novi Priest Faces Child Pornography Charges
Novi Priest Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges