March 16, 2026 Grand Rapids, MI, United States Child Exploitation

Michigan orthodontist sentenced to 60 years for exploiting children following ICE investigation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ICE Homeland Security Investigations announced that Thomas Shannon, 44, previously of Byron Center, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children on Feb. 23.

“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.”

From 2019 through 2024, Shannon exploited at least 18 children online, ranging in ages from 12 to 17. Police discovered his crimes when a 16-year-old in North Carolina reported that she had been sexually exploited on Snapchat. Investigators identified the perpetrator as Shannon, then an orthodontist in Grandville, Michigan. HSI special agents reviewed Shannon’s Snapchat account and found at least 16 additional child victims, one of whom was only 12 years old.

One additional child victim came forward. Shannon met and exploited her through a different online app while he was on bond for state child sexual abuse material charges. He did this from his yacht in Ottawa County, which was forfeited as part of the criminal prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said he was not surprised at the sentence imposed.

“Shannon’s selfish and senseless exploitation of these children has exposed them to a lifetime of emotional damage,” VerHey said. “I sincerely hope they can overcome it. But preying on our children must stop, and we will seek long sentences against people like Shannon until it does stop.”

“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 HSI Grand Rapids, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department, and is part of Project Safe Childhood.

Updated:

03/16/2026