Crime & Safety

Sex Offender Wore Ankle Monitor to Meet Girl For Sex, Police Say

Thornell Thomas, who already served 10 years in prison for lewd and lascivious battery on a child, traveled from Tampa to Largo to meet a girl for sex, according to police.

A registered sex offender wearing an electronic monitoring device on his ankle is accused of driving from his Tampa home to Largo to meet a child for sex, according to police.

Thornell E. Thomas, 38, was arrested after he showed up at the girl's home Thursday with the tracking device still around his ankle. Largo Police detectives were waiting for him after they were alerted by a family member of the victim, who was not identified.

Thomas had met the girl, who is between 12 and 15 years old, on a social networking website about a month ago, investigators said. The two allegedly had an ongoing cyber relationship.

Thomas was previously convicted on charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12-15 years of age in Hillsborough County and served a 10-year prison sentence before being released in March 2011.

Thomas was being held in Pinellas County Jail on charges including traveling to meet a minor and several related probation violations.


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