MI Orthodontist Charged With Possessing Child Porn: Feds

KENT COUNTY, MI — A Kent County orthodontist is facing child porn charges after using social media to sexually exploit minors, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan said Thursday.

Thomas Shannon, 43, of Byron Center, was charged with attempted receipt of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor.

If convicted on all charges, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Officials said Shannon, who had his own orthodontist practice in Grandville, used SnapChat and CashApp to sexually exploit multiple minors, including a 12-year-old.

In one instance, a minor told investigators that she met Shannon online and he pressured her into a sexually explicit chat online, officials said.

Investigators learned of the incidents after a therapist reported to police that a 16-year-old patient sent an explicit image of herself to Shannon on SnapChat.

Shannon then hired a private forensic examiner to review his phone to try and prove that he did not have child pornography, officials said.

The examiner, however, found child pornography and turned it over to police, officials said.

Investigators reviewed the phone and Snapchat records, and determined Shannon asked for, received and possessed child pornography. He also sexually exploited multiple underage victims, officials said.

Officers eventually arrested Shannon in Frankfort, which is roughly 30 miles west of Traverse City, officials said.