MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A former leader of a church choir in Macomb County is facing federal charges for allegedly possessing child pornography.
The charges stem from an investigation that began in May 2025 when a teen victim told law enforcement that Thomas Durham Sr., who was the leader of her church choir, had been sexually assaulting her.
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The victim said that when she turned 17, Durham allegedly started commenting about her appearance and touching her in a sexual manner, such as putting his hand on her thigh.
He also reportedly offered to buy her food and allowed her to use his credit card as payment for food delivery items.
She also said that when her relatives were away, Durham went to her home, often with alcohol that he encouraged her to drink. On at least one occasion, he allegedly groped the teen.
Durham is also accused of requesting nude images from the teen.
According to court documents, Durham invited the teen to his hotel room in July 2024 and asked her to have sex. The teen acquiesced because she thought he would leave her alone afterward.
Durham then began asking the teen to meet another church member, a man 16 years older than the teen, whose identity was not revealed in court documents. The unidentified man reportedly had expressed his interest in the victim to Durham.
On two incidents, Durham and the unidentified man reportedly approached the victim and told her to have sex with the unidentified man or else Durham would spread rumors that she was flirting with him and ruin her reputation with the church, her friends and her relationship with her family. As a result, the unidentified man had sex with the teen while Durham watched.
According to the victim, the unidentified man sent emails to Durham to pass on to the victim. In this way, court documents state that Durham was able to control communication between the man and the victim.
The victim provided law enforcement screenshots of emails exchanged between her and an email address with “Thomas Durham” as the display name, including an email dating back to Feb. 27, 2025, from Durham to the victim containing sexually graphic language, saying it was from the unidentified man.
On July 28, 2025, the FBI executed a search warrant at Durham’s home in Washington Township. On a laptop seized during the search, agents found images of child pornography.
In an interview with law enforcement, the unidentified man admitted to having sex with the 17-year-old. He also said the images were taken by Durham and sent them to the man’s phone.
According to Warren police, they investigated this case in May 2025 and turned everything they had over to the FBI and prosecutor’s office.
Durham faces federal charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.