On August 9, 2018, Chester County Detectives received a Cyber Tipline report received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The report was issued based on an image of an exposed prepubescent female. The image was captured and flagged at child pornography by Microsoft. As a result of the information provided in the NCMEC report a court order was served on an internet service provider. Subscriber information provide from the order came back to a resident located within Kennett Square Borough. The investigation was turned over to the Kennett Square Borough Police Department.

Through further investigation by the Kennett Square Police Department Detectives Division Charles E. Thomas III was identified as the owner of the residence.

Subsequently a search warrant was executed at the residence. Several electronic devices and DVD’s were confiscated. A forensic analysis of the seized items was conducted by Chester County Detectives Forensic Unit.  

On December 17, 2018 the forensic analysis of the items, which produced numerous images and videos of children engaging in various sexual acts, was turned back over to KSPD Detectives.

On December 20, 2018 a warrant was requested and approved by the Chester County District Attorneys Office for Charles E. Thompson III arrest.  On the same date Charles E. Thompson was then taken into custody without incident at his home and transported to Central Booking at the Chester County Prison.