10/27/2026
Please contact Det. Buchmann (610-363-0200) if you are aware of additional victims.
NEWS RELEASE: DOWNINGTOWN MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING OF MINORS
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office, the West Whiteland Police Department, and the Chester County Detectives announce the arrest of Elijah Thomas, 28, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Defendant Thomas has been charged with Trafficking Minors, Involuntary Deviate Sexual In*******se with Minors, Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, and related offenses. The Defendant was arrested on October 8, 2026, and is being held at Chester County Prison on a combined $700,000 bail across two complaints related to three minor victims. Defendant Thomas is a Tier II SORNA Registrant with prior convictions for stalking and sexual contact with a minor.
As detailed in the criminal complaints (the Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty), the West Whiteland Police Department received a report reporting concerns that an adult male was providing ma*****na to minors and demanding sexual contact and money from the victims as payment. Investigators identified and interviewed a 14-year-old victim who reported that he had been communicating with an adult male, identified as Elijah Thomas, after Defendant Thomas added him on Snapchat. Police then identified a second 14-year-old victim who had also been sexually assaulted by the Defendant. Both victims communicated with the Defendant through Snapchat, and both reported that the Defendant provided them with THC and v**e cartridges in exchange for sexual contact and indecent images.
The Chester County Detectives also received a report from the Downingtown Borough Police Department involving a 17-year-old victim who reported being sexually assaulted by Defendant Thomas. This victim reported that she began communicating with the Defendant when she was 15 years old and that he pressured her to engage in sexual acts. This victim also reported that Defendant Thomas provided her with THC and v**e cartridges in exchange for sexual contact.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said, “Protecting children from sexual exploitation is a top priority for all Chester County law enforcement. If you or someone you know have been victimized by the Defendant, please contact the West Whiteland Police Department as soon as possible at 610-363-0200.”
West Whiteland Township Police Department and Chester County Detectives are the lead investigating agencies and received assistance from the Downingtown Borough Police Department. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Buchmann from West Whiteland Police Department at 610-363-0200, or Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866. As a reminder, if you have concerns about the safety of a child, say something. Call 911 and call Childline at 1-800-932-0313.
West Whiteland Township Police Department
