Lithia Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing, Distributing Child Sex Videos

TAMPA, FL — United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Jeffrey Charles Thomas, 41, of Lithia has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of child sex abuse material.

Thomas faces a mandatory minimum term of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Thomas communicated with an undercover agent he met in an online chat room dedicated to people interested in father/daughter incest between Aug. 9 and Nov. 28.

In his communications, Thomas described in graphic detail his desire to engage in various sexual acts with the undercover agent’s fictitious minor stepdaughter. Thomas then sent the undercover agent an approximately 14-minute video of a minor child being sexually abused.

On Dec. 6, the FBI executed a search warrant at Thomas’ home and found him in possession of approximately 14 images and 31 videos of child sex abuse material, including the video he had sent to the undercover agent.