A former orthodontist in Michigan who shuttered his practices in 2023 after he was arrested for child pornography has now been charged with U.S. child exploitation offenses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Dr. Thomas Shannon, 43, was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted receipt of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a press release dated August 20 from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan.
Authorities began investigating Shannon, who previously operated Shannon Orthodontics in Grandville, MI, after a therapist reported that a 16-year-old had been sexually exploited on Snapchat. Investigating Snapchat and CashApp records, authorities identified Shannon as the minor’s perpetrator.
To prove that he did not possess child pornography, Shannon hired a private forensic examiner to review his phone. However, the examiner reportedly discovered child pornography on the phone and notified police, according to the press release.
Authorities reviewed Shannon's phone and Snapchat records and discovered additional minor victims, including a 12-year-old. Also, another victim who accused Shannon of instructing her to video chat with him while engaged in sexually explicit conduct came forward to police, according to the release.
In 2023, Shannon was accused of possessing child sexually abusive material and using computers to commit a crime. Authorities claim that Shannon had been communicating and soliciting minors online for sexually explicit photos and videos since 2019. A few times, Shannon allegedly tried to meet up with those minors to have sex.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
