A Michigan orthodontist is facing criminal charges after he allegedly solicited sexually explicit photos and videos of a minor in North Carolina and possessed child pornography on digital storage.
Thomas Shannon, 41, was arrested Thursday on multiple felony charges, including aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material, using a computer to commit a crime and possession of child pornography.
He had allegedly been contacting minors for sexually explicit photos and videos dating back to 2019.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan first learned of the allegations against Shannon in late 2021 after he was contacted by the Fuqay-Varina Police Department in North Carolina about his contact with a 17-year-old girl. .
ARKANSAS TEACHER’S ASSISTANT PLEADS GUILTY TO PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Thomas Shannon, 41, was arrested Thursday on multiple felony charges, including aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material, using a computer to commit a crime and possession of child pornography.
(Kent County Sheriff’s Office)
Shannon allegedly offered to pay for explicit photos and videos of the girl. She allegedly also asked for more photos, particularly from when she was in eighth or ninth grade.
A detective with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Shannon at his business, Shannon Orthodontics, and asked if he remembered communicating with the minor on Snapchat approximately two years ago, and if he offered to pay for the nude photos.
“If it happened, it’s obviously all there and I have to admit it,” he allegedly replied, according to a probable cause affidavit. “I didn’t know anything else about it, but some girls are there applying.”
According to the affidavit, Shannon then hired a forensic investigator to examine her iPhone and iCloud accounts in an effort to prove she did not have child pornography. The investigator, however, found “a large amount of child pornography” in her data.
MICHIGAN WOMAN ACCUSED OF ABUSE, HUNGRY OF MENTALLY DISABLED SON LINKED TO LAWSUIT
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan first learned of the allegations against Shannon in 2021 after he was contacted by the Fuqay-Varina Police Department in North Carolina to inform him that he had made contact with a girl. 17 years old.
(Kent County Sheriff’s Office)
The data allegedly included photos of children under the age of 10 and sexually explicit photos of pre-teen and teen children.
Investigators also believe that Shannon previously attempted to arrange to have sex with minors.
Kent County Sheriff’s detectives executed search warrants for Shannon’s electronic devices and social media accounts, allegedly discovering additional images of nude boys and girls, including babies and pre-teen children.
The sheriff’s office said the case remains an ongoing investigation.
Thomas Shannon had allegedly been contacting minors for sexually explicit photos and videos dating back to 2019.
(Kent County Sheriff’s Office)
Shannon was arraigned Friday on eight felonies:
- Child Sexual Abuse Material – Aggravated Possession – 2 Counts
- Sexually Abusive Material – Possession – 2 Counts
- Computers – Use to commit a crime (10-20 year felony) – 2 counts
- Computers – Use to commit a crime (4-10 year felony) – 2 counts
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
His bail was set by a judge at $200,000.
Shannon’s attorney, Frank Stanley, issued a statement regarding the charges.
“My client begins the legal process with the presumption of innocence. He has fully cooperated with authorities in their investigation. We look forward to his day in court when these allegations can be addressed,” Stanley said.
