GULFPORT — A former south Mississippi teacher has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the alleged molestation of students over a period of four decades.
William Richard Pryor, 68, heard the allegations against him detailed during an initial court appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in Gulfport Monday. He pleaded not guilty.
Pryor is charged in a four-count indictment involving two alleged victims. Evidence includes a sworn affidavit in which an FBI agent states that Pryor voluntarily identified eight victims who were molested, usually during out-of-state trips Pryor took with the students. The affidavit, filed with a criminal complaint around the time of his Aug. 19 arrest, includes allegations of abuse while on trips to California, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
Pryor is charged in counts one and three with transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and counts two and four with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Counts one and three each carry prison terms of from 10 years to life. Counts two and four each carry maximum sentences of 30 years in prison.
A trial date was set for Oct. 6. However, Pryor’s attorney objected and said he plans to file a motion to continue the case, WLOX-TV reported.
According to the affidavit filed in the case, Pryor confirmed to FBI investigators that the allegations of molestation by two different victims were true.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.