Related Federal Cases
- St. Pete Coke King Gets 20 Years · Florida
- GOP Rising Star Shuts Down VP Talk · Florida
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- Medicare Scam Lands Florida Man 5 Years · New York
- WV Biz Owner Cashed In on COVID Chaos · West Virginia
St. Pete Man Indicted in CSAM Case
TAMPA, FLORIDA – Thomas Ford, 61, of St. Petersburg, is facing federal charges after being indicted for accessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the Department of Justice announced today. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe confirmed the indictment, alleging Ford knowingly sought out and viewed horrific content depicting the sexual exploitation of a child.
The indictment details that between July 25, 2024, and March 19, 2025, Ford accessed material containing a visual depiction of a child under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. If convicted, Ford faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. This isn’t just about possessing images; it’s about a deliberate act of seeking out and consuming material created by predators exploiting vulnerable children.
Federal prosecutors aren’t stopping at prison time. The indictment also includes a notice of intent to forfeit two cellphones allegedly used to facilitate the offense. These devices, according to investigators, served as the portal to this depraved content and will be seized if Ford is found guilty. The government is looking to cut off the means by which this alleged activity occurred.
“This indictment is a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against child sexual exploitation,” stated a source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “These crimes are particularly heinous, and we will relentlessly pursue those who prey on innocent children.” The FBI led the investigation, meticulously tracing the digital trail that led to Ford.
Assistant United States Attorney Muriel Moore will be prosecuting the case. This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The project aims to dismantle networks of child predators and provide support to victims. Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to aggressively combat the epidemic of child sexual abuse.
An indictment is a formal accusation, and Ford is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence presented to a grand jury was deemed sufficient to move forward with these serious charges. For more information on Project Safe Childhood and resources for victims, visit www.justice.gov/psc. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.
RELATED: St. Petersburg Man Charged for Illegal CSAM Access
RELATED: Repeat Offender Collins Back to Federal Lockup
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
