Palmetto Man Arrested, Accused of Luring a Child from Birthday Party

Palmetto Man Arrested, Accused of Luring a Child from Birthday Party

Deputies announced the arrest of 44-year-old Christopher Thompson on April 25. Investigators said they got involved after the child’s parents reported their 5 year old child was Sexually battered while attending a friend’s birthday party the day before.

Deputies learned that Thompson was at the party and took the child to his house across the road, in the 7000 block of Water Mill Street.

Thompson now faces multiple charges

The sheriff’s office said Christopher Thompson remains under investigation and detectives ask anyone with information about similar incidents to contact them at 941-747-3011. Or at www.ManateeSheriff.com

Here is the full report on this suspect from The Manatee County Sheriff's Office:

CAPITAL SEXUAL BATTERY / **ADDITIONAL CHARGES**

UPDATE 05/17/22:

Since his arrest on April 25, 2022 for sexually battering a 5-year-old, Christopher Thompson is facing charges involving 7 more victims between the ages of 6 and 13. The 44-year-old Palmetto man is now charged with multiple counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, Sexual Abuse and Video Voyeurism, with a long list of Child Pornography charges still pending.        

During a search of electronic devices, detectives located a child pornography collection, self-made child pornography, and evidence of self-made video voyeurism. Detectives also learned that Thompson’s crimes 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.

One case involves a 9-year-old victim in Marion County, FL and another incident is being investigated in Madison, AL. The disclosure in the Alabama case was made after the parents of a 6-year-old heard about the arrest of Christopher Thompson. Investigators in those jurisdictions are completing cases for Sexual Abuse, Capital Sexual Battery and Production of Child Pornography.

Through electronic evidence, MCSO detectives 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 May 17, 2022, Thompson is charged with crimes involving 6 of the 8 known victims. Detectives are still processing electronic evidence and expect multiple charges for Child Pornography to be filed soon.  

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

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(Original Release – 04/26/22)

Case Number: 2022-008920

Incident Type: Capital Sexual Battery, Exposing Minors to Harmful Images, Production and Possession of Child Pornography without incident.

Location: 7000 block of Water Mill Street, Palmetto, FL   Zone: N30

Victim(s): (Withheld) Race/Sex: W/F   Victim(s) D.O.B: 02/25/2017 (5)

Suspect(s): Christopher L. Thompson  Race/Sex: W/M  Suspect(s) D.O.B: 12/20/1977

On 4/24/22 deputies were notified by the parents of a 5-year-old girl, that their daughter had been sexually battered while attending a friend’s birthday party earlier in the day. 

Deputies met with the victim and her parents, and quickly learned that 44-year-old Christopher Thompson, who was attending a neighborhood party, lured the victim across the street to his house and committed Sexual Battery. Deputies also learned that Thompson told the victim not to say anything, then went back to the party.

Further investigation revealed that the victim was forced to watch sexual material involving children and an adult male. While executing a search warrant detectives were approached by neighboring residents voicing their concern for their own children. Upon viewing images located within Christopher’s residence, it is suspected that Christopher has committed Lewd and Lascivious acts on multiple young females. A significant amount of electronics were removed from the residence, acts of Production of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography were discovered on some of these electronics.

Christopher Thompson was located at his place of employment, and arrested and charged with Capital Sexual Battery, Exposing Minors to Harmful Images, Production and Possession of Child Pornography. The case remains under investigation and additional charges are expected.

Detectives believe there are more victims and encourage anyone with information about similar incidents involving Christopher Thompson, to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 747-3011.

Read More Here: https://www.manateesheriff.com/_T24_R30.php

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