GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A 43-year-old man who used to work as an orthodontist outside Grand Rapids is facing multiple child exploitation felonies.
According to authorities, the investigation began after a 16-year-old told their therapist that they had been sexually exploited. Using SnapChat and CashApp records, police were able to identify the suspect as Thomas Shannon.
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Shannon used to have an orthodontist practice in Grandville.
He was taken into custody in Frankfort, about 30 miles west of Traverse City. To prove he didn’t have child porn, he reportedly hired a forensic examiner to review his phone, who quickly found child porn on it.
Police reviewed the phone and SnapChat records, which reportedly revealed additional victims, including one as young as 12 years old. Authorities said another victim came forward, explaining she met Shannon online and that he pressured her into sexually explicit conduct during a video chat.
Shannon was charged with attempted receipt of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor.