A Marion County jury has convicted 56-year-old Dermon Kenneth Thomas following an online undercover sting operation aimed at protecting children from internet exploitation. After brief deliberations, the jury found Thomas guilty of traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct, and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
The conviction stems from an investigation launched in July 2025 by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with several partner law enforcement agencies. During the operation, Detective Lowder posed online as a 14-year-old girl.
According to court records, Thomas messaged the undercover account and continued to solicit sex even after being repeatedly informed of the child’s age.
Thomas arranged a meeting with the decoy for sexual activities the following day. Law enforcement officials coordinated the time and location, arresting Thomas as soon as he arrived. While Thomas initially claimed he did not know the age of the person he was messaging, investigators stated he later admitted he knew she was 14 years old.
Following the verdict, Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie emphasized the role of these joint law enforcement operations.
“With every covert operation like this, our law enforcement partners further protect our children from dangerous individuals like this defendant,” Forgie said. “One more predator is off the streets, helping to keep our community safer than it was before.”
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