Thomas W. Almberg, Coercing Minors for Sex, VA 2023

NORFOLK, Va. – The grimy details of Thomas W. Almberg’s descent from public servant to convicted sex offender were unveiled today as the former Chesapeake Fire Department lieutenant was sentenced to 126 months in prison for charges of coercing and enticing minors to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Almberg, 50, from Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty on Oct. 18, 2016, after a lengthy investigation involving law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The court documents revealed a chilling pattern of behavior where Almberg, while still serving as a lieutenant, exploited social media platforms to prey on teenage girls. In January 2016, he engaged in a months-long exchange with a 15-year-old boy, posing as a girl, on the game Clash of Clans. The text messages between them soon became sexually graphic, with Almberg sending explicit photographs and requesting sexual favors.

In April, he encountered a 16-year-old girl on another chat application and quickly escalated their conversations to include exchanging explicit photos. His brazenness reached its pinnacle in May when he traveled to North Carolina and propositioned the victim for sex at her workplace. The young woman courageously declined his advances, leading to his arrest.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Col. K.L. Wright of the Chesapeake Police Department, and Michael K. Lamonea from ICE HSI Norfolk announced the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Henry Coke Morgan, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney V. Kathleen Dougherty prosecuted the case.

A full copy of this press release can be accessed on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. For additional court documents and information, visit the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or search PACER using Case No. 2:16-cr-136.

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