ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A Virginia man who used a Snapchat account stolen from a minor to sexually exploit about 41 girls was sentenced Sept. 24 to 40 years in federal prison, federal officials announced last week.
Malachi Morgan Thomas, 24, of Woodbridge, pleaded guilty April 2 to producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. The girls were between 12 and 17 years old, according to court documents cited by prosecutors.
From at least March to October 2020, Thomas used the hacked account to order girls to send him sexually explicit material and participate in live video calls, prosecutors said. He claimed to lead a criminal organization and threatened to hack their accounts or harm them and their families if they refused.
Prosecutors said Thomas also sexually assaulted victims in person. During an October 2020 search of his Woodbridge home, police found a phone containing images and videos of child sexual abuse, including recordings of assaults involving two victims. The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the federal case.
Quick Fact Check
- 🔴 Sentence: 40 years in federal prison.
- 🔴 Defendant: Malachi Morgan Thomas, 24, of Woodbridge, Virginia.
- 🔴 Victims: Approximately 41 girls, ages 12 to 17, according to prosecutors.
- 🔴 Method: A hacked Snapchat account, threats and coercion.
- 🔴 Guilty plea: April 2, to one count each of producing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
- 🔴 Sentencing date: Sept. 24, 2026.
Threats and coercion
Thomas ordered girls to send him child sexual abuse material and engage in sexually explicit conduct during live video calls, according to prosecutors. He claimed to lead a criminal organization and told the girls they would be safe if they obeyed him. He threatened to hack their accounts or harm them and their families if they refused.
Prosecutors said Thomas knew some victims had mental health struggles or had previously experienced sexual abuse. He knew at least one girl was in foster care.
Police uncover recordings
In June 2020, Thomas went to a victim’s home, sexually assaulted her and recorded the assault, prosecutors said. Police later found the video on one of his phones.
The following month, Thomas went to a Virginia shopping mall to meet another girl he had exploited through Snapchat. Her father learned of the plan and appeared at the mall instead. Police responded and seized Thomas’ phone.
Arrest and investigation
Fairfax County police arrested Thomas on Oct. 1, 2020, on charges involving the sexual assaults of two minors.
A search of his Woodbridge home, conducted with Prince William County police, uncovered a second phone containing dozens of images and videos of child sexual abuse, including recordings of assaults involving two victims, prosecutors said.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office investigated the federal case.