Columbus man arrested in connection with Indiana teen’s death now faces federal exploitation charges

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tyler Thomas, the 39-year-old Columbus man arrested in January on local charges related to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, now faces federal exploitation charges. 

“The filing of these federal charges does not signal the end of the investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Our prosecutors continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to collect and comb through evidence in pursuit of justice for Hailey and her family. We appreciate the public’s patience as the investigation proceeds.”

“The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue all evidence in this case as we seek the facts about Hailey’s disappearance and death,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “While we are deeply saddened that we cannot bring Hailey home, we are committed to holding accountable anyone involved in the crimes against her.”

In a federal criminal complaint that was unsealed today, Thomas is charged with sexually exploiting a minor and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted as currently charged, he would face up to 30 years in prison on each count.

The defendant appeared in federal court at 1:30pm today and his case was unsealed at that time.

Thomas allegedly met the victim online playing video games including Roblox and League of Legends.

According to charging documents, Thomas traveled from Columbus to Fortville, Indiana, during the overnight hours of Jan. 5 to Jan. 6 to pick up the victim and drive her back to Ohio with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity, specifically the production of child pornography.

Cell phone analysis reveals Thomas then allegedly traveled to an Airbnb residence in Logan, Ohio, on the afternoon of Jan. 6. At approximately 9:25am the next morning, Jan. 7, Thomas’s phone data shows he traveled near the North Country Trail Trailhead in Wayne National Forest, where the victim’s remains were later located. The phone remained in that location until approximately 2:15pm, when it began to travel back towards Columbus.

During a forensic review of Thomas’s cell phone, agents identified deleted communications and interactions between Thomas and the victim, including messages on SnapChat and sexually explicit images of the victim in Thomas’s Columbus residence and the Airbnb residence.

Columbus police officers searched Thomas’s residence on Hunter Avenue in Columbus and collected cell phones, computers and numerous other items of potential evidentiary value.

FBI agents also executed search warrants at the Airbnb residence in Logan and located potential traces of blood throughout the residence and seized numerous items that potentially contained traces of blood. Those items are awaiting further analysis.

Additionally, Thomas’s cell phone allegedly contained child sexual abuse material of a girl approximately seven to 10 years old and a sexual Discord conversation with another teenager. Specifically, in that Discord conversation, Thomas allegedly messaged: “Does baby carve parts of her own body?” and “…you’d look so good covered in red.”

The local charges against Thomas for pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor will be dismissed and the case will proceed in federal court.

The Fishers, Indiana Police Department, Columbus Division of Police, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Indianapolis, U.S. Forest Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) are also investigating the case. The Perry, Hocking and Franklin County Prosecutor’s Offices are coordinating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #