ALEXANDRIA, VA. — Malachi Morgan Thomas was sentenced to 40 years in prison on September 24, 2026, for sexual exploitation of children and possession of child sexual abuse material. The 24-year-old Woodbridge, Virginia resident received the federal sentence following a series of legal proceedings related to offenses against minors.

From at least March to October 2020, Thomas coerced approximately 41 minor girls between the ages of 12 and 17 to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He directed victims to create and send him child sexual abuse material and ordered them to engage in sexually explicit conduct during live video calls. Thomas used a Snapchat account that he had hacked and stolen from a minor to contact these victims.

To ensure compliance, Thomas told victims he led a criminal organization and that following his orders would ensure their safety. He threatened to hack victims’ accounts or harm them and their family members. Court documents indicate Thomas was aware that several victims suffered from anxiety, depression, other mental health issues, or had previously been victims of sexual abuse. In at least one instance, Thomas knew that the victim was in foster care.

The investigation into Thomas began with specific incidents in mid-2020. On June 6, 2020, Thomas traveled to a victim’s home, assaulted the victim, and recorded the act. Police seized a cell phone from Thomas while investigating an altercation on July 9, 2020.

Investigators discovered a video of the June 6 assault after searching the phone seized on that date. Fairfax County Police linked Thomas’s Snapchat account to his phone number during the 2020 investigation, enabling them to trace his communications with victims.

Fairfax County Police arrested Thomas on Oct. 1, 2020, on charges of rape and sodomy of two minors in Fairfax County. With support from Prince William County Police, Fairfax County Police searched Thomas’ residence in Woodbridge.

Investigators located a second phone containing dozens of images and videos of child sexual abuse material, including recordings of sexual assaults of two victims in Fairfax County. Thomas also traveled to Potomac Mills Mall in Woodbridge to meet a victim he exploited on Snapchat, but the victim’s father appeared at the mall instead after learning of Thomas’ actions.

This federal sentencing marked Thomas' third legal proceeding related to sexual offenses within four years. In May 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty in Prince William County court to possessing child pornography and sexual offenses against a minor using a computer. He had a prior 2021 state-level conviction for possession of child pornography in Prince William County, which led to his registration as a sex offender.

A 2021 Virginia Court of Appeals opinion noted that Thomas violated a Norfolk, Virginia probation condition by using Snapchat to communicate with victims, despite being banned from social media. A 2021 Virginia Court of Appeals case also revealed Thomas admitted to threatening at least 30 other individuals for nude photographs via social media, beyond the 41 victims charged in the federal case.

In July 2024, Thomas was convicted in Fairfax County Circuit Court for rape, sodomy, and taking indecent liberties with a child under 15. He received a 10-year sentence for indecent liberties, 45 years with 20 suspended for rape, and 20 years of probation for sodomy. Over 20 videos and 23 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct were recovered from his devices during that case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Halper for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Alicia A. Bove of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division prosecuted the federal case.

"Today’s sentence reflects the profound harm Malachi Thomas inflicted on dozens of vulnerable children," Darren B. Cox, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI Washington Field Office, said. "We hope today’s sentence brings a measure of justice for the victims as they continue to heal." "The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to identifying and investigating those who prey on minors, whether online or in our communities," Darren B. Cox said.