Norwich Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offense

DOJ Press

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, announced that SHELDON THOMSON, 34, of Norwich, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession of child pornography.

Thomson appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, in 2007, Thomson was convicted in state court of sexual assault in the first degree, involving sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 13, and of risk of injury to a child.  He was released from prison in November 2015 and began serving a term of probation.  In May 2022, Thomson’s state probation officer seized multiple cellphones, a tablet and a storage card from Thomson, his vehicle and his residence.  Analysis of the seized devices revealed numerous images and video depicting the sexual abuse of children, including prepubescent children.

If convicted of possession of child pornography, Thomson faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Thomson’s prior conviction.


U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of Connecticut’s Office of Adult Probation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

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