BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich:  Thomas Shannon, a 41-year-old, from Byron Township was lodged at the Kent County Jail just before midnight on child pornography charges.  After a lengthy investigation, detectives were able to find evidence of Shannon communicating with minors for sexually explicit photos and videos dating back to 2019.  The KCSO first learned of the information in late 2021 from the Fuqay Varina Police Department in North Carolina.  They reported that a 17-year-old female in their jurisdiction had been contacted online by a man in Kent County.  The Fuqay Varina Police were starting their investigation and KCSO detectives then started to look into the case.  There is no current information on any local victims involved, however, detectives are still reviewing evidence in the case and have identified multiple victims.  If you or someone you know may have been impacted, please contact KCSO detectives at 616.632.6125.

The following charges were authorized by the Kent County Prosecutor's Office & Shannon is expected to be arraigned today in the 63rd District Court on charges of:

• Child Sexually Abusive Material - Aggravated Possession - 2 counts
• Sexually Abusive Material - Possession - 2 counts
• Computers - Using to Commit a Crime (10-20yr felony) - 2 counts
• Computers - Using to Commit a Crime (4-10yr felony)- 2 counts

If you have information that could help to move the investigation forward, please call the KCSO at 616-632-6125, or call Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 to report information safely and anonymously.

Contact: Sgt. Eric Brunner | 616.632.6106
eric.brunner@kentcountymi.gov
Incident: 21-51322
 

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