Grand Jury Indicts Former Teacher on Molestation Charges

WLOX
September 15, 2014

http://www.wlox.com/story/26535620/grand-jury-indicts-former-teacher-on-molestation-charges

William Richard Pryor (Photo source: Stone Co. Correctional Facility)

A grand jury has indicted veteran South Mississippi teacher William Richard Pryor for allegedly molesting students. Pryor was in federal court Monday morning for an initial appearance where a judge detailed the four count federal indictment against Pryor.

Pryor is charged in counts one and three for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and counts two and four for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

If convicted on counts one and three, Pryor could be sentenced from 10 years to life in prison on each count. If found guilty on counts two and four, Pryor faces up to 30 years in prison for each count.

According to an affidavit in the case, Pryor confirmed to FBI investigators that the allegations of molestation by two different victims are true. Pryor also identified six other victims, and gave the FBI details about when and where he sexually abused them. Most of the alleged abuse happened during trips Pryor took with the students to California, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, and Georgia. Three weeks ago an FBI agent testified three more victims came forward making the total number of alleged victims 11.

However, the indictment only accuses Pryor of molesting two former students. According to the indictment, victims two and three were allegedly molested on several occasions between 1999 and 2005.

WLOX has reached out to the U.S. District Attorney's Office to learn why Pryor has not been charged in connection to the other nine alleged victims. No immediate response was made available.

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Pryor entered a not guilty plea Monday morning on all the charges. A trial date was set for October 6, but Pryor's attorney objected to the trial and said he plans to file a motion to continue the case.