Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Cory Thomas, 33, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to possession of prepubescent child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 7, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Thomas’ residence in Charleston and seized his cell phone and other electronic devices. An analysis of the electronic devices revealed numerous digital image and video files of child pornography.

Thomas will face the consequences of his actions. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Thomas must also register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “The safety and well-being of our children is of utmost importance,” Thompson said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who exploit and harm children to justice.”

United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Thomas’ guilty plea is a major victory in the fight against child exploitation. It serves as a reminder that those who prey on the vulnerable will be held accountable for their crimes.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-43.

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