On February 26th, 2025, in Juneau County, Wisconsin, officers responded to a residence to execute a search warrant after receiving a tip from Discord regarding illegal and disturbing material being sent and viewed on their platform. >> There's They have three vehicles. >> And two of them are gone. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we're going to have to >> We have to breach. >> Yeah, we'll breach it. >> There is that doorbell. But I didn't see a camera. >> Yeah. >> Sheriff's office, >> Do you want the ring brother? >> Yeah, run it in there, man. >> Announce. >> Yep. Sheriff's office, SEARCH WARRANT. >> WHAT? >> SHERIFF'S OFFICE, SEARCH WARRANT. Sheriff's office, announce yourself. Sheriff's office, search warrant. Sheriff's office, search warrant. >> Door there. That's the upstairs, so let's clear that. >> Stand by. >> Dog. Hi, big dog. Hi, big dog. Hi there, baby dog. It's a golden retriever. >> All right, you can bring him his stuff, so we're fine. >> Okay. >> Hi, pretty baby. >> All right. it. >> Good work. Got stairs up. >> Yep. Is it already running? >> Yep, I got the stairway from here. >> And that's all the way around. >> Okay. >> There's an open door back here. >> So, it's around this open door in the back. >> Sheriff's have a search warrant. >> All right. All right, so um the computer in question is in that room right there. So, this office huh? And the desk. Yeah, so we'll get So, I don't know um yeah, if you want somebody wants to do overalls. >> I can, but I have to go get my work stuff on. >> Yeah, I got to go grab my Yeah, I got Oh, I do have my phone. So, let me go grab the warrant. We'll sign that. Um I'll sign that. We'll have that. So, then you have that and photos. And then I think what I'll do is maybe I'll call her first. >> Yeah. >> And see if she knows where he's at. >> Mhm. >> Um I I can't imagine that they don't know we're here if they have that camera out there. Hi. >> Hi. >> Detective Guyette with the sheriff's office. So, um we're going to have to go down to the sheriff's office to have a conversation. So, um we'll transport you down there. Um and then we'll give you that opportunity. Um >> Can I go in and go to the bathroom? I just literally I just had a three a three-hour drive. I did an hour and a half to the office and an hour and a half back and you know, I came right from the office here. I need to go to the bathroom, really bad. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Yeah, we can get you up there. Um we can park the car. Um you don't want to move the car, we'll get the car parked and um there should be another marked squad up there if you just want to park it up there. Yeah, behind behind that Chevy is fine. >> You want me to park up? I'm going to go around and park up by the garage? >> No, we'll just leave it right here. It's fine. Cuz we'll go we can drive around. It's fine. All right. Do you have anything on you? >> Uh my keys. I'm guess that's about it. >> Okay. I just got to pat you down, obviously. This is a search warrant, so we're just going to make sure that you you don't have any weapons on you. >> stick >> Okay. >> in my pocket. >> Okay. >> No weapons. >> Okay. All right. We'll go in the in the residence there. You need to use the bathroom and >> Well, I I I don't know how any of this stuff works. So, what what what's going to go on here? What's what's happening? >> Well, that's what we'll explain. So, so I can show you the search warrant. We'll let you use the bathroom first and then we can have a conversation. This is a >> into my house? >> We had a search warrant, yep. So, >> You guys just break into this Oh, Jesus. >> Yep, go ahead. I'll shut the door. >> I can't believe you guys just did that. And I called you and told you I was on my way here. >> [snorts] >> I'm going to go to the bathroom real quick. >> No. There's that window. >> You checked the foyer. Why didn't you call my wife and never come? >> Yeah, I don't know um yeah, I've been trying to call her back. She hasn't answered. So, I'll get a we'll get a hold of her. Hi, Shelly. Hi, this is Detective Guyette. Um Tom's here at the house and he he requested I call you again to um let you know that you need to come to the house, too. >> Okay, I'm so sorry. >> So, you're going to So, then you would be on your way? >> Um yes. >> Okay. All righty, I'll see you in a little bit. >> No. I'm going to put this over on the corner. >> Okay. >> All right, what else do I need to do here? >> Well, so obviously this we're doing a search warrant. There's a copy of the search warrant right there. >> Okay. >> All right, so you can look at that if you want or but I can let you know this what this is is so I'm part of the Internet Against Children Task Force, okay? And so, what we received is a cyber tip um regarding um uh activity on Discord. Okay? Um we did a Discord search warrant and I found some concerning chat logs and photos and images um which led us here, okay? So, now we've already um done the search warrant. We've already done the office and we have already found the external hard drives. So, I already know a very small picture on the preview of what's on the external hard drive. Okay? So, that's what that's what this is in reference to. >> Okay. >> All right. So, if you So, right now you are going to be placed under arrest. Preliminary as to what was found on that one hard drive. If you want, we can have a conversation at the office about everything else. But, that's entirely up to you. Okay? But, right now you are going to be placed under arrest for what's on the hard one at least one of the hard drives. >> Okay. Do I have any rights to representation? >> Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. And that's what And if that's what you want, then that's what we'll do and we'll just leave it at that. That you want an attorney right now. Okay? And that's absolutely 100% that's your right. >> Okay. >> Okay? Um, so um, we are going to take your phone. The phone's in the car? >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, we are going to take your phone. All right? Um, and then we'll go from there. All right? Is there a passcode on the phone? >> There is. >> Okay. Are you going to provide the passcode or no? >> I don't care. >> Okay. Is it a numeric or is it a >> Well, I have a face. >> Okay. >> It opens with my face. >> Okay. Well, the we'll grab the If you want to wait with him, I'm going to go grab his phone. All right. Why don't we go out there and do it because the warrant says we can do your biometrics. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. So, did you want to take that with you or you want to leave that for your wife? >> Uh, I'll leave that with her. >> Okay. All right. All right. So, I'll have you we'll have you come out here and then we'll go get your phone and then we'll have the other >> anything I can bring with me or like >> Do you have your wallet and money? Do you have any cash you want to bring with you? >> I got my keys to my car. So, I'll leave those >> Yep. Just leave those. >> I have a set of keys. >> Yep. >> I think my wallet's probably in my work bag. >> Okay. >> So, I hope it's there. I don't know if I have it or not. >> Can I go to my car now or >> Yeah, we'll walk with you. >> to go with me? >> Yeah, we're going to go with you. >> I'm not sure exactly where my wallet is. >> Okay. Well, that's I mean you don't need that. >> It could be in my office. I mean, it could be in my office in there. >> Okay. >> Did anyone find it in there? >> Uh we didn't pay attention if it was in there or not. You don't I mean you don't need to take that with you. So. >> I thought you said it was in there. If you could let Shelly know I did not find my wallet. >> Okay. I will let her know. >> You want me to close this? >> Yep, you can close that. >> Is there anything I can bring with me like a book or something? >> They'll have stuff down there. >> Okay. What's the You have the >> That's my birthday. >> So, what is that one your year? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Is there going to be stuff on here? >> I don't know. I mean I >> That's fine. So, obviously this >> If it's based on If it's based on chat, you know, things >> Mhm. >> then yeah, I use my phone and my computer for chat. >> Okay. >> I don't know why there's a child thing with it. Other than you know, I chatted with people and you know, role play stuff, but >> Okay. All right. Well, he's going to Deputy Hagan is going to transfer you down to the transport you down to the jail. So, like I said, you are under arrest. So, he's going to place you in handcuffs. Um and so, if you decide right now you've >> Do you want my watch? >> Yeah, you can probably leave that here. >> Otherwise, I have a bag that I'm going to put your property in. >> Yeah, we're going to take your property. So, we'll just take it with you. Well, actually Is this guy's cell phone on it? Do you use this for text messages or anything like that? >> Not text messages. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah, it's it's an Apple Watch. >> Yeah, we're going to we'll hang on to that, too. So. >> All right. Can I take this? Can I bring this? >> Uh they won't let you have it in the >> with your property. >> Yeah, it'll stay with your property, so they won't let you put that in. So, anything else in your bag in your pockets? He's going to check you and then anything else on there is going to go in that bag. >> card on there? >> Yeah. >> All right, I'm going to walk over there. >> You want this, then? >> Uh I'll I'll take it when I pat you down and stuff. So, we're going to walk to my car before I do all that. I'm going to shake your waistband a little bit, just so you know. Is that Chapstick? I'm going to go in your pocket, just so you know. All right. May I please your hands behind your back for me? >> What's that? >> In front. >> Oh, in the front? >> Just the back pocket. >> Okay. You can face me. We'll I'm going to place you in handcuffs. I'm going to kind of roll your wrist up. I don't want them too tight. How's that feel? >> It's good. >> Okay. I'm going to read you your rights. >> Go ahead. >> It's going to be a little bit of a tight fit. Very tight. All right. Deputy Fath's going to buckle you in on that side. Actually, can I go over my hands over it? Like that? Is that all right? >> Yeah, I'm I'm okay with that. >> Is that all right? I mean, I >> I know. >> It's all right. Um I don't know how any of this stuff works, so. >> No worries. I'm going to close this, okay? Hi, Charlie. I'm I'm Detective Guyette, the one you were talking to on the phone. >> Okay. >> All right. We can go in the house here, too. >> Yeah, I just just set stuff down here. >> Yeah. As you can see, we obviously we did have to breach the door to come in. So. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So we >> Yeah, because we locked the >> Yeah. >> So who pays for that? >> Unfortunately, that's Unfortunately, that it is what it is. We don't We don't take care of that. So. Um so this is a copy of the search warrant. He said to leave it with you. Okay. So you have that. So basically what this is is um I work for the Sheriff's Office, but I'm part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. So received a cyber tip um that came back to here, okay? And it was regarding the app Discord. Okay, have you ever heard of Discord? Okay. So it's like a um it's like a chatting platform which and and doing the search warrant on Discord found numerous chat logs um that they all come back to Tom, okay? Um and he was um communicating with girls. >> And is there like dates on that or >> Yeah, it goes back at um the chat logs, the most recent one was October of last year that he was doing that and it goes back to 2022, okay? So but some of the concerning items um that were included with the Discord is what we classify as uh child material, okay? Child pornography. Okay? Um for sure there was probably three or four that were on the Discord um which led us to do the search warrant here. And during the ex >> the Discord name again? >> It's just that's the name That's the name of the company. That's the name of the app, Discord. Um So um we did the search warrant, we searched the office. Um and obviously he was sharing pictures of himself, and so we were able to identify the office. That [snorts] office is where the photos were sent from. Um, and he was sending pictures of himself and nude to what he believes to be girls. Okay? Um, but then located in that office were numerous external hard drives. Uh, and for sure one we know, um, we did locate just right now preliminary five videos of child Okay? So, he was placed under arrest for possession of child >> Watching the child? >> Yes, and he possessed it. He physically had it in the >> Of how old? >> Um, just briefly what I saw, it would be like probably prepubescent, so um, no um puberty development, so um, probably 10-12 year old age range females. Um, some were actually being sexually assaulted in the videos, just primarily what I saw. >> And what was the dates on that? >> I have no idea. I don't I don't know for sure what dates those were. But the the simple fact it doesn't matter on dates on that. He physically had the file, and I'm and I'm guessing just based on what we're seeing, we're going to find a lot more once we do the finish the, um, search of all the hard drives and stuff. Um, one of the things that I want you to be aware of, okay? Is I did locate a chat log. Um and um during the chat he was talking to, and I can tell it's another male. And some photos that he sent were of you um, to this other person. >> And I never >> that I'm thinking Tom had of you and he sent this other person. Is there any Is there any time where he's had intimate photos of you? >> Maybe a long time ago. We were married for like 30 years. >> Yeah, he said they were probably a couple years old. So, he did have photos he's saying they were of you that he sent somebody else. Um so, I wanted you to be aware of that that your face isn't in the photos, um but um he's sending and he was communicating and um obviously once everything I mean the chat logs are pretty explicit. I'm not going to lie to you. So, um either with adults or children. So, what he believes to be So, do you have any questions or anything? >> Well, I guess I guess I have a lot of >> Yeah. I'm so sorry that he's put you in the middle of this. Has there been So, one of the things that were talked about in the chat logs is that he made mention that this is something that you not necessarily that he was talking to kids, but that he was chatting with people online and photos and stuff and you guys found out about it a while [snorts] ago. >> I didn't find out about the photos, but we did actually go to marriage counseling after I found out he was doing the chats and we were trying to get him >> Mhm. >> to stop chatting. I didn't know he did all the other stuff. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> And when was that? How long ago was that? >> I think it was like in 21 or 22. >> Okay. Is the chat Yeah. >> was kind of So, when we went to the counseling um midlife crisis or whatever. You You know what I mean? Like the >> Yeah. >> he just wasn't acting like himself or anything until I found out that he was chatting, you know, on the chats and I thought he was done with that, but I didn't know about the other stuff. >> Okay. Yeah, it looks like it most recently looks like October of last year he was still chatting on Discord. And that's what led to the the cyber chat being reported in like November. >> wasn't chatting anymore and I'm trying to trust him, but after you break that trust it's really hard. >> Yeah. Yeah, he said that he was >> about the other the videos or whatever. >> Yeah, so he Does he work every day or does he work from home a lot of time? >> Um, he [snorts] works from home and then um like today um he goes one day to the office cuz it's in Middleton, so it's pretty far. And then he works part-time at Menards, so he does. >> Okay. Yeah, cuz I could see in the chat logs he talked about that he would he only did it when you were at work. So you would work um >> I work in the day at Lands' End. >> Okay. So he said he would do it while you were at work. And then you would make sure that he's not doing it when you're here. Is that it? >> chatting >> So, there would be times where he would send a message and say you're home and so then he would stop and he'd say I can't talk right now, I'll talk later. So, um But as of right now, so he is placed under arrest for five counts right now minimum of possession of child pornography. Um once we do more investigation, if we because all we have is in the chats they identify their age and location, so we can we have to try to verify if it's a actual real person. >> [snorts] >> One of the things he was trying to say to us was that it was all role-playing, that it's they're not truly girls, but he's he believes it's a fantasy that they you know, they have, you know, and unfortunately that he's not wrong, this does happen where people will pretend to be and you know, to have you know, males communicate with them and whatever they they want to do with that. So, >> Because I have a hard time believing the the child part of it. Because we have a couple granddaughters and >> Yeah. How old are your grand >> never. >> How old are your granddaughters? >> Um two and three. >> Yeah. And I think um based on what I'm seeing that, you know, he was talking about like he would say young, but like when I say young, I'm like young teenage [snorts] is what he was. So, I don't think I'm we have no indication that young. Okay. >> I >> Yeah. So, I don't it's still in law. And it's a worry cuz obviously if he had, you know, you just don't know when it's if this is something that he's into, if something happened. So, and I get that fear. So, he'll be in I don't know if he'll go to court tomorrow um or to you know, he won't be today. Um but it may be tomorrow afternoon. >> Okay. >> So, um and all of those counts do carry um mandatory prison. So, but it that's stuff that down the road. Okay? So, but obviously we have a lot more investigation to do and then know what other what other you I mean, we pulled I think it was four external hard drives and we have the computer um >> So, >> in the office. >> Wait, like he has a lot of computers cuz he has >> [snorts] >> you know, he does spreadsheets and stuff. So, and he just got it. So, you have all the computers >> So, well, we have we have his Oh, and how many computers do you know of that he has? >> Well, he just bought a one to do the spreadsheets like two >> He has the two monitors. >> He's got the Or yeah, monitors. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. See, he's got two monitors in there. Yeah. So, but he had one computer and that computer was hooked up to both monitors. Is that your understanding? >> Well, like when you look at his desk, there's three screens, three monitors. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Well, I think there were two big ones. Was there three? >> I think there's three. >> There's three. >> Cuz he just got the other one. >> Okay. So, then he can move stuff. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz we have the tower or the computer unit. The monitors are still there. Um >> There's a couple laptops that were in a bag. The laptop bag. I don't know how new they are or if they're old ones. >> Uh well, he has some old laptops. Um The one he takes to work, I don't >> Yeah, we have this work laptop. We have this work laptop. >> Okay. >> We have that one. >> So, there's a lot of every thumb drive and every SD card >> knows a lot of technology. I'm not a technology person. [laughter] So, I don't know what all Yeah. >> Just in case they're yours. There was an iPod that was sitting out here that was taken. >> Oh, on the fireplace? That's just an old one we let our granddaughter pretend is a phone. >> Okay. [laughter] Well, we took all those things just cuz we don't know at the time. But so, if you notice things missing >> He only had electronical stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. Just stuff that could capture something. >> Yeah. So, he had an iPad in there. >> And so, what happens like with his phone? >> Yeah, we have his phone. Yeah. No, we have his phone. I took his phone. So, obviously, we'll search his phone. We'll extract his phone. >> So, I won't be able to call him at all? >> No, cuz he'll be in jail. So, he won't be able to call you. >> Okay. >> Yeah, he'll be able to call you. >> At first, it'll come through collect and it'll say inmate of the Juneau County Jail is trying to hit you. You have to push buttons to accept. >> So, is that in Boston? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And then, um you can set up a an account and then then they'll be free phone calls. You have to pay for them, but they're like >> A lot less. >> pennies on the Yeah, it's like >> I might have to have my kids set me up an account cuz like when I say I'm not very techy >> If he calls you from booking, it'll come up restricted. So, a restricted number calls you, that may be it. >> Okay. Um so what I guess what do I do next? >> So, really not much. I mean, uh >> And then like do I call into his work? I mean, what do I say? That's >> That's it. To be uh to be honest with you, I think um he put himself in this situation, so I think that's something he should be responsible for, not make you [snorts] do that. Um >> So, he's going to call you and ask you to do certain things and certain people, and that's you know, it's up to you on how you handle it from there. It's a lot for you. Like you're going to be >> I mean >> stuck in a situation he put you in, and that's >> Yeah, and that like I don't know what >> [snorts] >> Like I don't know if I should go to work tomorrow. I have vacation days to use. You know what I mean? >> Nothing [snorts] will happen as [clears throat] far as with him at at most he would have a bond hearing at 2:30 in the afternoon tomorrow, but other than that, nothing court-wise would >> Yeah, nothing's going to happen today. Nothing I have to go to for >> Nothing you have to go to. I'm sure you'd have questions later, and you can contact one of us then. >> Because so that um did my cell number come up there? 91 Yeah, so that's my direct number. >> I don't trust anything. >> Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. And I know cuz that's when >> Especially after like I found out he was doing chants a while back, and then >> [snorts] >> uh I don't trust anything, so I thought I really thought it was a scam, and that's why I sent your number to my husband, >> Yeah, he called me right away >> I can't believe anything. >> Yeah. Oh, absolutely. You can't be I mean, unfortunately, that is the new one of the new things they do is scamming is pretend to be law enforcement, and so >> So, um for my kids I mean, they know that he was like before like the 21, 22 timeframe one. >> They were chat. Cuz he said that you and then the kids and you everybody was mad at him. He said that in one of the chats. So, that's why he was careful as to when he was chatting and >> So, which I thought he had stopped altogether, but still at some little ounce of me was like, but I didn't know about the other stuff. So, >> And that's not that's that's normal because stuff like that they don't want people to know. And they're not going to tell you, especially when they're, you know, when they have the child Um so, well, obviously we're going to do searching on the computer. We're going to search all that stuff. So, it's going to take some time and once we have a better grasp um of what we got, we'll definitely let you know if there's something that you need to be concerned about. Cuz one of the things other things we concerned about and obviously when I say this, I have no indication that this happened, but sometimes we will get people that will manufacture their own. And plus he has access to grandkids. Not saying you did and I'm not saying that at all. And we have no indication that happened, but that is always a fear. And I want to make sure that, you know, that that's not something that he did. So, >> I don't think he's ever really been alone with them either. And they're only two and three. So, >> Yeah. >> I Well, and I can't speak for what the bond will be when he gets a bond, but it'll probably say he can't have contact with children. Just because of the type of charge it is. >> that would be forever? >> Well, no. Not necessarily. Just through it while he's out on bond. Yeah. So, just till the case is um you know, settled. I mean, that'll be a condition that he won't be able to have access. And then they might even say unsupervised. So, he won't be able to do one-on-one with the grandkids, whatever, but >> But he will if someone's >> And that's stuff that the court's going to decide. Yeah. >> My granddaughters love them. And then I can't believe of the This is probably what my kids call me. >> [snorts] >> Cuz I told them that you know, I had to come home and >> Yeah. If they have questions and you can give them my number and I will >> Okay. >> I'll talk to them, too, if they have questions. >> I know my son may call you. I don't know. >> Is he the one that's in the military? >> Well, they were both in the military. My daughter did 4 years in the Marines and my son did 9 years in the Navy. He was in the submarines. >> Oh. >> And now he's um in Marquette training to be a lawyer. >> Oh. >> So, that's why I say my son will >> Oh, he only [laughter] have >> But >> You have the legal questions. >> 2 years in for the lawyer. >> Oh, yeah, he's got a little bit yet. >> Yeah, have him reach out. >> Yeah. With any questions he has, so Yeah. So, this is Yeah, this is a copy of the search warrant and everything we were looking for and it's kind of a lot of words, so. So. >> So, and you don't know how long he'll be there then? >> It would be like I said, once he gets the bond hearing tomorrow, um it depends on what they give him. If they give him a cash bond, then he'll have to pay amount to get out um or a signature bond. I don't know what they'll they'll do. So, um in here in um situations like this, a lot of times we see that it is a cash bond. So, that he'll have to pay some money to get out of jail and I don't know how much they'll So. >> And I don't know what I'd want to tell my work. Like, you know. >> Yeah, and that's entirely up to you, you know. Um you know, unfortunately, I mean these do make press releases, obviously, so um but it obviously that won't be today. But after the criminal complaints out tomorrow. So that may be a possibility. So >> So like how did how did they find out? Like just stuff on the internet? >> So basically there's the law states that any internet you know anybody that provides services. So like so Discord is an internet service provider. So by law if they see anybody that is either engaging or sending inappropriate images or engaging with children if they see any of that on their server by law they have to report that. Okay. And then what they do is they report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children out in DC. Okay. And so what they report is you know like an IP address, account name, all this information. NICKMEC then completes what's called a cyber tip. The cyber tip is then what state it comes back to. So then they figured out it comes back to Wisconsin. NICKMEC sends it to the state of Wisconsin. They DCI out of Madison looks at it. They say which affiliate and so I'm one of the affiliates for the ICAC task force for the state. What jurisdiction it falls in and then I get assigned that cyber tip. So and one of the things they do is with the IP address they do subpoenas. So at length the IP address used was the Wi-Fi here and that's what it linked it back to the residence here. So and then he had actually sent like selfie style photos. So you can actually see his face in the photos. So I mean you can identify him. So >> Some of that surprises me. I know he did his chance but >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Which I >> Unfortunately it's an it's an addiction. And once you And I mean even though you was caught doing it and then he knows he's not supposed to do it, it's still it's an addiction in his mind and he had to do it. So, >> [snorts] >> but I think it led to where we're at with the I mean looking at how many files, I mean just to be on the one external hard drive there was over 6,000 files in that folder where we we pulled five videos of child So, potentially there could be thousands of more. So, >> That's the hardest part is the child. >> Yeah. I guess that once we get stuff, we have more understanding, I can let you know. If your kids have questions, they can give me a call on my cell number and All right. >> And that's just the number that you call them on? >> Yep, that's that cell number. That's my work cell number, so I always have it on me. All right. All right, so his keys are right there. All righty. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yep, take care. >> Following the search warrant and his subsequent arrest, Thomas was officially booked and hit with six felony counts of child He entered a plea of no contest to the first count. The judge found him guilty on that primary count, while the remaining five counts were dismissed [music] but read into the record for sentencing purposes. He was sentenced to 3 years in state prison followed by 5 years of extended supervision. As a condition of [music] his release, he must register as a sex offender, complete specialized treatment, face strict tracking restrictions on internet-capable devices, and maintain absolute zero contact with anyone [music] under the age of 18.