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United States of America v. Thomas Patrick Shannon
Date: 02-26-2026
Case Number: 25-cr-00149
Judge: Paul L. Maloney
Court: United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids
Defendant's Attorney: Frank Stanley
Description:
Grand Rapids, Michigan, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with exploitation of children
From 2019 through 2024, Thomas Shannon, 44, previously of Byron Center, exploited at least eighteen children online, ranging in ages from 12 to 17. Police discovered Shannon’s crimes when a16-year-old minor in North Carolina reported that she had been sexually exploited on Snapchat. Investigators identified the perpetrator as Shannon, then an orthodontist in Grandville. Investigators reviewed Shannon’s Snapchat account and found at least 16 additional minor victims, one of whom was only twelve years old. One additional minor victim came forward. Shannon met and exploited her through a different online application while he was on bond for state child pornography charges. He did this from his yacht in Ottawa County, which was forfeited as part of the criminal prosecution.
“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.”
“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 the Homeland Security Investigations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, and Prince George’s County Police Department.
From 2019 through 2024, Thomas Shannon, 44, previously of Byron Center, exploited at least eighteen children online, ranging in ages from 12 to 17. Police discovered Shannon’s crimes when a16-year-old minor in North Carolina reported that she had been sexually exploited on Snapchat. Investigators identified the perpetrator as Shannon, then an orthodontist in Grandville. Investigators reviewed Shannon’s Snapchat account and found at least 16 additional minor victims, one of whom was only twelve years old. One additional minor victim came forward. Shannon met and exploited her through a different online application while he was on bond for state child pornography charges. He did this from his yacht in Ottawa County, which was forfeited as part of the criminal prosecution.
“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.”
“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 the Homeland Security Investigations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, and Prince George’s County Police Department.
Outcome:
The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Thomas Patrick Shannon?
The outcome was: The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Which court heard United States of America v. Thomas Patrick Shannon?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Kent County), MI. The presiding judge was Paul L. Maloney.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Thomas Patrick Shannon?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids. Defendant's attorney: Frank Stanley.
When was United States of America v. Thomas Patrick Shannon decided?
This case was decided on February 26, 2026.