Charleston Man Sentenced To Federal Prison On Child Pornography Charge
Friday, September 13, 2024, 6:45 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
CHARLESTON, W.VA.- U.S. Attorney Will Thompson reported on Thursday, September 12, 2024, that Cory Thomas, 33, of Charleston, West Virginia, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Irene C. Berger to four years in federal prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for Possession of Child Pornography.
Judge Berger also ordered that upon his release from federal prison, Thomas would be required to register as a sex offender.
According to documents filed with the court on February 7, 2024, law enforcement investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at Thomas’ Charleston residence, where Investigators seized his cell phone and various electronic devices.
Forensic Analysis Finds Pornography
A subsequent forensic analysis of the electronic devices uncovered at least 109 digital files of child pornography, 75 of which were videos. The digital image files and videos included child sexual abuse material depicting prepubescent children engaged in sadistic and masochistic conduct and the exploitation of toddlers.
When Thomas was taken into custody, he was employed through a subcontractor as a counselor at a public elementary school and had previously worked as a substitute teacher. Investigators determined that there was no indication of any criminal conduct with students while Thomas was employed in the school system.
