7 More Victims Bring New Child Sex Abuse Charges Against Manatee Man

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A Palmetto man is facing more child sex abuse charges less than a month after his initial arrest for sexually battering a 5-year-old, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

At least seven more child victims prompted new charges against Christopher Thompson, 44, include multiple counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, sexual abuse and video voyeurism. Deputies said a long list of child pornography charges are still pending.

According to the sheriff's office, Thompson's latest charges involve children between the ages of 6 and 13 — bringing the total to eight victims at this time.

During a search of electronic devices, detectives said they located a child pornography collection, self-made child pornography and evidence of self-made video voyeurism.

Investigators said they also learned that Thompson’s criminal activities went undetected by multiple members of the community and his family.

"Information and other evidence received from his immediate family proved valuable in identifying the additional victims," deputies said in a news release.

Deputies said one case involves a 9-year-old victim in Marion County, Florida, and another incident is being investigated in Madison, Alabama.

The disclosure in the Alabama case was made after the parents of a 6-year-old heard about Thompson's arrest, according to deputies. Investigators in those jurisdictions are completing cases for sexual abuse, capital sexual battery and production of child pornography.

Through electronic evidence, MCSO detectives said they also identified an 11-year-old victim of video voyeurism who was unaware of the criminal acts Thompson committed against her. Charges of video voyeurism have been sent to the state attorney’s office.

As of Tuesday, Thompson is charged with crimes involving six of the eight known victims, deputies said. Detectives are still processing electronic evidence and expect multiple charges for child pornography to be filed soon.

Thompson remains under investigation, and detectives said they urge anyone with information about similar incidents to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.