DETROIT — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Michigan, Eastern), published as received.
DETROIT – A Sterling Heights man, who qualifies as a repeat and dangerous sex offender, was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting multiple children, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in her announcement by Angie M. Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit Field Office.
Thomas Neil, 42, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, admitted that in July 2020 he pretended to be a teenage female on the Instagram Internet messaging platform. Neil then tricked a 13-year-old male minor into creating sexually explicit images of himself and sending them to Neil.
The subsequent investigation determined that Neil used the same method to victimize approximately sixteen boys beginning as early as 2010. Neil often had the minors engage in behavior that would be humiliating or painful. According to Court records, Neil qualifies under federal sentencing guidelines as a repeat and dangerous sex offender based on his conduct.
Neil was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg.
“This investigation and subsequent prosecution ended this defendant’s repeated sexual exploitation of children. This significant sentence demonstrates that those that seek to harm our children through online exploitation will be held responsible. We will continue to work to make the Internet a safer place for our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.
“Our communities are safer with predators like Neil off our streets, where he can no longer victimize innocent children,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar. “Our agents and partners will continue to do the work necessary to ensure predators are brought to justice and victims receive the care and assistance they need.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Rawsthorne.
