BYRON CENTER, Mich. — An orthodontist with multiple practices in West Michigan is accused of possessing child pornography and soliciting underage girls for explicit photos and videos, the Kent County Sheriff's Office alleges.
Just before midnight Thursday, deputies arrested 41-year-old Thomas Shannon, of Byron Township, on a variety of charges, wrapping up a lengthy investigation.
Detectives say Shannon was communicating with minors for sexually explicit photos and videos dating back to 2019.
Shannon is an orthodontist with practices in Grandville and Plainwell.
The investigation began in 2021 after the Fuquay Varina Police Department in North Carolina contacted the Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). They told law enforcement a Kent County man contacted a 17-year-old girl in their area.
The KCSO then launched an investigation.
Shannon appeared in 63rd District Court Friday afternoon on the following counts:
- Child Sexually Abusive Material - Aggravated Possession - 2 counts
- Sexually Abusive Material - Possession - 2 counts
- Computers - Using to Commit a Crime (10-20yr felony) - 2 counts
- Computers - Using to Commit a Crime (4-10yr felony)- 2 counts
According to court documents, Shannon allegedly offered to pay the 17-year-old $150 for nude images and videos, which she agreed to. He would go on to ask her for more photos and videos, specifically when she was in 8th or 9th grade, detectives allege.
The county sheriff's office went to interview Shannon at his orthodontics practice and asked him if he remembered messaging a minor through the app Snapchat 2 years ago. Detectives said Shannon replied, "possibly, yes."
The detective went on to ask if Shannon had asked for photos or images of the girl in exchange for money. Shannon ended the interview after saying "If it happened, obviously it is all there and I have to fess up to it."
Authorities also revealed in court documents that Shannon had hired a computer forensics investigator to take a look at his iPhone and iCloud accounts to show there was no child pornography.
Instead, the investigator reported discovering a large amount of child pornography, including photos of a boy and girl under the age of 10 appearing to have sex. Additionally, the investigator uncovered large amounts of photos of girls under the age of 12 naked and sexually explicit.
Detective Goehring, who was assigned to the investigation, executed search warrants which helped him discover more images of fully nude girls and boys. The images found contained infants, prepubescent and adolescent children that exposed their genitals and pubic areas, authorities allege.
Detectives said they found records dating back to 2019 showing Shannon had been communicating and soliciting known minors online for sexually explicit photos and videos, and on a few occasions attempting to meet up with those children to have sex.
Detectives said they found multiple social media and banking accounts he used to pay for the media.
Shannon's attorney, Frank Stanley, shared this statement Friday:
"My client begins the legal process with the presumption of innocence. He has cooperated fully with authorities in their investigation. We look forward to his day in court when these allegations can be addressed."
The following charges were authorized by the Kent County Prosecutor's Office:
- Child Sexually Abusive Material - Aggravated Possession - 2 counts
- Sexually Abusive Material - Possession - 2 counts
- Computers - Using to Commit a Crime (10-20yr felony) - 2 counts
- Computers - Using to Commit a Crime (4-10yr felony)- 2 counts
Detectives have no current information on any victims in the West Michigan area, however they have identified multiple victims.
If you or someone you know may have been impacted, please contact KCSO detectives at 616-632-6125.
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