Federal Charges Filed Against Tyler Thomas in Connection with Disappearance of Hailey Buzbee
Tyler Thomas, the 39-year-old Columbus man previously accused in connection with the disappearance of Indiana teenager Hailey Buzbee, is now facing federal charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio has charged Thomas with sexual exploitation of a minor and traveling in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison for each count.
Deep Search: Digital Evidence and Interstate Travel
Federal investigators have released a criminal complaint detailing the digital footprint that allegedly links Thomas to the 17-year-old’s disappearance. According to court documents, Thomas admitted to communicating with Buzbee for over a year through online gaming platforms like Roblox and League of Legends, as well as an encrypted messaging app called “Session.” Agents allege this app was used to orchestrate a plan to transport Buzbee from her home in Fishers, Indiana, to Ohio.
The investigation uncovered cell phone location data that contradicts Thomas’s initial claim that he dropped Buzbee off near the Indiana-Ohio border. Instead, the data reportedly tracks his movements from Fishers to his residence in Columbus, and subsequently to an Airbnb in Logan, Ohio. Authorities stated that a search of the short-term rental property revealed potential traces of blood, and items were seized for forensic analysis. Furthermore, the federal complaint alleges that a forensic examination of Thomas’s electronic devices uncovered child sexual abuse material.
Defense and Objections
Despite the severity of the new federal indictment, Tyler Thomas’s legal team has signaled a robust defense. His attorney, Sam Shamansky, stated that they intend to “defend it vigorously” and address the charges “straight up.” Shamansky has emphasized that while the federal charges are serious, Thomas has not been charged with murder. The defense has previously noted that Thomas surrendered to police and provided information that led authorities to the location where human remains were discovered.
Procedurally, the initial state charges filed in Franklin County—which included pandering sexually oriented matter and tampering with evidence—are expected to be dismissed to allow the federal case to take precedence. The defense argues that the shift in jurisdiction does not equate to an admission of guilt regarding the teen’s death, maintaining that the investigation into the fatality is ongoing and complex.
Background of the Case
Hailey Buzbee was reported missing on January 6, 2026, after disappearing from her home in Fishers, Indiana. Her case was initially treated as a runaway situation before escalating to an endangered missing person investigation. On February 1, authorities discovered human remains in the Wayne National Forest in Perry County, Ohio, which were later identified as Buzbee’s. While the current federal charges address the alleged abduction and exploitation, investigators and prosecutors are continuing to review evidence to determine if additional charges related to her death will be filed at the state or federal level.
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