COLUMBUS, Ohio (TCN) — Tyler Thomas, who has been accused in connection with the disappearance of a 17-year-old authorities say he met while online gaming, has been federally charged.
The 39-year-old met Hailey Buzbee on Discord while playing games such as Roblox and League of Legends, according to court documents obtained by WXIN. The new charges against him, filed in federal court on Feb. 10, mirror the state charges filed against him in Ohio.
The new charges include one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of travel in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, per WXIN. Thomas was previously charged in state court with pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and tampering with evidence.
Thomas and Buzbee had allegedly been communicating for over a year through an encrypted messaging service called Session and an unspecified gaming platform, WXIN reports.
According to a search warrant affidavit obtained by WBNS, Thomas allegedly stated he used the Session app to plan for Buzbee’s “runaway and transport.”
On the morning on Jan. 6, Buzbee’s parents woke up to find her missing from their home in Indiana, WBNS reports. They reportedly found a note saying she had run away and not to search for her. Buzbee had reportedly taken her phone and other personal items with her. Thomas was later identified as a suspect.
WSBT reports that an Amber Alert was not issued because it was believed that Buzbee had run away.
Buzbee was considered an endangered missing juvenile on Jan. 19, two weeks after she disappeared, according to WXIN. Thomas was arrested on Feb. 1. He reportedly told police he picked Buzbee up from her house and they drove to Columbus, Ohio, according to the outlet.
Police believe Buzbee was killed in Hocking County, Ohio. The FBI reportedly picked Thomas up from jail on Feb. 1 to help them locate Buzbee’s remains. WBNS reports Buzbee’s body was found in Wayne National Forest, but Thomas has not been charged in connection with her death.
Retired FBI special agent Harry Trombitas told WBNS that that federal prosecutors are likely coordinating with local authorities to determine whether such charges should come from the federal or state level.
Thomas is now in the custody of U.S. Marshals Service. His next court date has not yet been set, per WBNS
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