A Columbus man faces charges including pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor in connection with missing Indiana teen police now believe is dead.
Missing Indiana Teen sex video: Columbus Man Charged in Connection with Missing Indiana Teen Believed to be Dead
A Columbus man has been charged with pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and tampering with evidence in connection with the disappearance of a 17-year-old girl from Indiana whom authorities now believe is dead.
Tyler Thomas, 39, of Columbus’ Victorian Village neighborhood, is being held in the Franklin County Jail. Court records show he is scheduled to appear in a Franklin County court on Monday, Feb. 2.
The missing teen, Hailey Buzbee, of Fishers, Indiana, was last seen by her parents around 10 p.m. on Jan. 5 near her home, Fishers police said during a news conference on Feb. 1. Fishers is a suburb located north of Indianapolis.
Investigators said a vehicle seen in the area at the time of Buzbee’s disappearance was traced back to Thomas. Police believe the two met through online gaming.
Authorities interviewed Thomas within days of the teen’s disappearance. He told investigators he had dropped Buzbee off on the side of a road in western Ohio. Police later determined that statement was false and coordinated with Ohio law enforcement to search Thomas’ home and vehicle, according to court records.
Based on evidence collected and statements made by Thomas, Fishers police now believe Buzbee is deceased and are continuing efforts to locate her body.
Court documents state that Thomas picked up the teen in the early morning hours of Jan. 6. During a search of his Hunter Avenue residence on Jan. 21, investigators reportedly found child sexual abuse material, including images and video involving the missing juvenile, on Thomas’ digital devices. Records also indicate a video of the teen was discovered in a deleted file.
Police said Thomas spent time with Buzbee at his Columbus residence and at a short-term rental property in Hocking County, where sheriff’s deputies conducted searches using drones and K-9 units in an effort to locate the teen.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Follow Dalmar TV on Facebook for the Latest News
