Executive Summary
- Thomas Ford, a 61-year-old St. Petersburg man, has been federally indicted on charges of intentionally accessing child sexual abuse material, facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
- The indictment alleges Ford accessed illegal content involving a minor under the age of 12 over an eight-month period, from July 25, 2024, to March 19, 2025.
- The case, investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Muriel Moore, is part of Project Safe Childhood, and federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of two cellphones allegedly used in the crime.
Laws and Precedent
- The defendant faces federal charges for intentionally accessing child sexual abuse material, a serious offense under federal law that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years and allows for asset forfeiture. This case, brought via a federal indictment, proceeds within the U.S. legal system where the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and is part of the Department of Justice’s nationwide Project Safe Childhood initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
A St. Petersburg man has been federally indicted on charges of intentionally accessing child sexual abuse material, facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the indictment against Thomas Ford, 61, on Tuesday, which alleges he accessed illegal content involving a minor under the age of 12.
Details of the Allegations
According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred over an eight-month period, from July 25, 2024, to March 19, 2025. The formal charges state that Ford accessed material containing a visual depiction of a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the intent to view it.
In addition to the potential prison sentence, federal prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of two cellphones. The indictment alleges these devices were used in the commission of the crime.
Investigation and Legal Context
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Muriel Moore. Officials noted that an indictment is a formal accusation and does not constitute a finding of guilt. Under the U.S. legal system, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This case was brought under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006. The program is designed to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local law enforcement resources.
The indictment moves the case against Ford into the federal court system, where he will now face charges as part of a long-standing national effort to protect children from online exploitation.
