For Immediate Release
DATE: 03/08/2007

Contact: Deborah McCarley
FBI - Phoenix
(602) 650-3201

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge John E. Lewis, requests the public’s assistance in locating William Pumphrey, age 50, and a four year old male child last seen in the custody of Pumphery. Pumphrey is wanted on one federal charge of Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution and wanted locally in Bullhead City on charges of Theft, Theft of a means of transportation and fraud.

Approximately two months ago, Pumphrey appeared in Bullhead City, Arizona without any apparent past connection to the city. Pumphrey went to a transient facility in Bullhead City with a 4 year old child who Pumphrey held out as being his son. The boy’s name, according to statements made by Pumphrey, was Joshua Pumphrey, date of birth March 24, 2002. Joshua was described as appearing part Asian and Caucasion. When Pumphrey and Joshua arrived at the facility, they had no personal property other than the clothes they were wearing. The transient center allowed Pumphrey and Joshua to stay for a few days, but then referred them to a second facility in Bullhead City. There, Pumphrey claimed to be an ex-bishop with a Mormon church in Salt Lake City and was allowed a place to stay in exchange for doing odd jobs.

Pumphrey worked at this second facility for approximately five weeks, until February 20, 2007. On that date, an individual associated with that facility gave Pumphrey bank deposits and keys to a vehicle requesting Pumphrey to deposit the funds at an area bank. This was the last contact anyone at this facility had with Pumphrey and Joshua. On February 23, 2007, the vehicle loaned to Pumphrey for the purpose of going to the bank was recovered in the parking lot of the PetCo store in Kingman, Arizona which is located approximately one hour east of Bullhead City.

The FBI along with Bullhead City Police Department is requesting anyone with information on the whereabouts of William or Joshua Pumphery immediately contact their local police or Sheriff’s office, the Bullhead City Police Department at 928-763-9200, or the Phoenix Office of the FBI at 602-279-5511. The public should be cautioned to contact local authorities with information concerning Pumphrey and not approach Pumphrey.