Orthodontist sentenced for exploiting children, California and Colorado women found guilty of stalking ICE officer
Michigan orthodontist sentenced to 60 years for exploiting children following ICE investigation
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ICE Homeland Security Investigations announced that Thomas Shannon, 44, previously of Byron Center, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children on Feb. 23.
“Protecting children from exploitation is at the heart of Homeland Security Investigations’ mission,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “This offender preyed on vulnerable children, but through extensive collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners, we were able to identify victims and ensure the defendant was held accountable. We hope this sentence delivers some measure of justice to his victims. We relentlessly investigate these crimes and tirelessly pursue those who exploit children.”
From 2019 through 2024, Shannon exploited at least 18 children online, ranging in ages from 12 to 17. Police discovered his crimes when a 16-year-old in North Carolina reported that she had been sexually exploited on Snapchat. Investigators identified the perpetrator as Shannon, then an orthodontist in Grandville, Michigan. HSI special agents reviewed Shannon’s Snapchat account and found at least 16 additional child victims, one of whom was only 12 years old.
One additional child victim came forward. Shannon met and exploited her through a different online app while he was on bond for state child sexual abuse material charges. He did this from his yacht in Ottawa County, which was forfeited as part of the criminal prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said he was not surprised at the sentence imposed.
“Shannon’s selfish and senseless exploitation of these children has exposed them to a lifetime of emotional damage,” VerHey said. “I sincerely hope they can overcome it. But preying on our children must stop, and we will seek long sentences against people like Shannon until it does stop.”
“This investigation demonstrates how local, state and federal partners work together to identify offenders, locate victims, and hold those responsible accountable,” said Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. “Our Human Trafficking Task Force continues to work aggressively to identify both victims and suspects in cases involving the exploitation of children.”
This case was investigated by HSI Grand Rapids, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department, and is part of Project Safe Childhood.
California and Colorado women found guilty of stalking ICE officer
The women followed the officer home from work and livestreamed the pursuit on social mediaLOS ANGELES — A jury found two women — one from California and the other from Colorado — guilty March 2 of felony stalking for following an ICE deportation officer home and livestreaming their pursuit on social media.
Cynthia Raygoza, 38, of Riverside, and Ashleigh Brown, 38, of Aurora, Colorado, were each convicted of one count of stalking.
“Stalking and intimidation of our personnel and their families crosses a line,” said ERO Los Angeles acting Field Office Director Andre Quinones. “This verdict sends a clear message that such criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting our officers and ensuring their safety both on and off duty.”
Amid continued escalations in dangerous rhetoric from anti-ICE politicians and activists, ICE officers and agents currently face an 8,000% increase in death threats and a 1,421% increase in assaults.
“Justice has been served against two agitators who stalked a federal employee, livestreamed it on social media, and traumatized both the victim and his family,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “Our Constitution protects peaceful protest — not political violence and unlawful intimidation.”
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case.