ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The grim hand of justice has descended upon Thomas Ford, a 61-year-old St. Petersburg resident, as he faces a federal indictment for accessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Federal prosecutors have alleged that Ford, between July 25, 2024, and March 19, 2025, sought out matter depicting minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. If convicted, this predator could be locked away for up to 20 years.
The evidence against Ford includes two cellphones, which authorities claim were used to perpetrate this heinous act. The United States Attorney’s Office has made it clear that these devices will be forfeited as a result of the crime.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. It is a relentless effort that seeks to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children, all while identifying and rescuing victims.
Investigating this case was the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while Assistant United States Attorney Muriel Moore will be leading the prosecution against Ford.
The grim details of this case serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against child sexual exploitation. To learn more about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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