News Summary
Recent arrests in St. Petersburg highlight a disturbing trend in child exploitation. Thomas Ford has been indicted for accessing child sexual abuse material, while Treyvon Maynor faces kidnapping charges. Additionally, other arrests include a man accused of sharing child pornography and another allegedly plotting a child’s abduction. These incidents underscore the urgent need for community awareness and law enforcement action against child exploitation.
St. Petersburg – In a troubling series of events, law enforcement officials have announced major arrests related to child exploitation and abuse. Thomas Ford, a 61-year-old man from St. Petersburg, has been indicted for accessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), while another man, Treyvon Maynor, has been arrested for his involvement in a child kidnapping plot.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe confirmed that Ford was indicted for allegedly accessing CSAM with the intent to view it. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the investigation into Ford’s activities, which reportedly included viewing a file that depicted a child under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The crimes were said to have taken place between July 25, 2024, and March 19, 2025. If convicted, Ford faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the charges against him. Additionally, authorities have filed a notice of intent to seize two cellphones that were used during the commission of the offense. The case is set to be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Muriel Moore.
In an unrelated incident, 21-year-old Treyvon Maynor was taken into custody on multiple charges including aggravated child abuse, burglary with assault, false imprisonment, and resisting an officer without violence. Law enforcement officers responded to a domestic dispute involving Maynor and his partner, who had reportedly taken their one-year-old daughter from their home. During the incident, Maynor allegedly blocked his partner’s vehicle and assaulted her before forcefully taking the child from her car seat. In an extraordinary escalation, Maynor ran into traffic while carrying the child on his back. Fortunately, police were able to locate and rescue the toddler without injury. Maynor was already facing an open felony warrant from July stemming from previous assault charges against an elderly individual.
Additionally, another St. Petersburg resident, 43-year-old Elias David Elias, was arrested following a tip-off to detectives from the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office. Elias is accused of possessing and sharing child pornography and allegedly possessed and transmitted explicit images of minors ranging from ages 2 to 14 years. He faces ten counts each for possession and transmission of child pornography, in addition to two counts related to sexual activities involving animals.
Further compounding these serious allegations, law enforcement apprehended 47-year-old Jason Foley, who reportedly plotted online to kidnap, sexually assault, and murder a child in conspiracy with another individual. Foley’s arrest was executed by the St. Petersburg Police’s SWAT team, based on intelligence received from an out-of-state law enforcement agency. The intended victim does not reside in Florida, indicating the broad reach of his alleged intentions.
The recent surge in child abuse-related cases has raised alarm within the local community and underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting the welfare of minors. Law enforcement agencies continue to collaborate and utilize technology in the fight against child exploitation.
As the legal processes unfold, these cases highlight the pressing issue of child safety and the crime of child exploitation, reinforcing the need for continued awareness and public support in efforts to protect vulnerable children in society.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: Child exploitation
- Patch.com
- Google Search: child exploitation Florida
- NBC News
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
