Former Michigan orthodontist to spend rest of life in jail for sexually exploiting children

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A former Michigan orthodontist will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for sexually exploiting children.

According to authorities, 44-year-old Thomas Shannon exploited minors from 2019 through 2024. The victims were reportedly between the ages of 12 and 17.

Investigators discovered the crimes after a 16-year-old in North Carolina reported she had been sexually exploited on Snapchat. Police identified the account’s user as Shannon, who was working as an orthodontist outside Grand Rapids at the time.

Shannon hired a private forensic examiner to review his phone to prove that he did not have child pornography. The examiner found child pornography.

When police reviewed Shannon’s Snapchat account, they found at least 16 additional minor victims, including one who was 12 years old. One additional minor later reported being exploited after meeting Shannon through a different online application while he was on bond for state child pornography charges.

Shannon was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children.