BCSO employee arrested

The Blount County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release earlier today informing the public that one of its officers, Christopher Thomason, 42, was arrested Sept. 9 by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigations Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Thomason was attending the Alabama Police Officers Training Academy in Jefferson County and was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with 11 counts involving child pornography. 

Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey stated during a live press conference midday Tuesday that Thomason was a corrections officer who sent explicit images to minors via SnapChat. He was charged with solicitation of a minor and child pornography. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Thomason was also a K-9 handler and the dog will be maintained within the department at this time. 

While this remains an active investigation, Casey said in July that ALEA began receiving cyber tips about an officer in a uniform who was sending explicit images and videos to others, including at least three underage girls. Thomason requested pictures and videos be sent to him as well. 

So far, it has been confirmed that Thomason sent 113 pictures of himself in uniform. He also tried to meet up with one of the minors, a 12-year-old female, at a football game in Walker County; however, that meeting did not happen. 

Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon was notified of the arrest by ALEA Tuesday morning and said,  “I am deeply saddened and disturbed by this situation. The actions alleged are completely unacceptable, and they betray the values of trust, integrity, and protection that we are sworn to uphold. I want to be absolutely clear—this office will always operate with transparency and accountability to the people we serve. We will continue to fully cooperate with ALEA and all agencies involved in this investigation.”

Casey said there may be more victims and encouraged anyone who received any messages from Thomason to contact her office at 205-625-4171 for further follow-up. 

Moon immediately began termination paperwork for Thomason when he was notified of the arrest. The press release also said, “The Blount County Sheriff's Office stands committed to maintaining the trust of our community by being open about this matter and ensuring the proper steps are taken. This investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.