Alleged Cyber ‘Predator’ Indicted

– Allison Goldsberry

A Tewksbury man has been indicted on numerous charges, including child rape and child pornography charges after allegedly using nude photographs of a local teen to blackmail her, according to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

Thomas Hutchinson, 19, of Tewksbury, was indicted Tuesday by a Middlesex grand jury on charges of rape of a child by force, assault to rape a child, child enticement, attempted extortion, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, possession of child pornography, and posing a child in states of nudity and sexual conduct.

An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Authorities say Hutchinson used three online identities, “Sexybeast,” “Brittney,” and “Tommy,” to communicate with a 15-year-old girl he met on myyearbook.com. “Brittney” offered to connect the victim with someone involved in modeling. The victim agreed and, shortly thereafter, an individual using the screen name Sexybeast5655@aim.com contacted her and claimed to be in the modeling industry. Hutchinson, allegedly using the “Sexybeast” identity, found out through the victim that she was fifteen and asked her to send him pictures of herself in a bathing suit and clothes. He eventually asked the girl to send him naked pictures and videos. When she complied he threatened to post the images and videos if she didn’t have sex with his “friend.” He additionally threatened to rape her if she refused to meet his friend in person or told police. The friend, “Tommy,” who used the screen name Tommy364587@aim.com, also contacted the victim online.

According to authorities Hutchinson then arranged to meet with the victim, threatening her again if she did not complete a sex act. On February 28, authorities say Hutchinson contacted the victim, pretending to be “Tommy” and told her he was going to come see her that day. Hutchinson drove to the victim’s street and told her to get in his car, where he is alleged to have forced her to perform a sex act.

Medford Police executed search warrants at Hutchinson’s home and car. They found additional evidence while searching his computer, including saved photos and videos, and chats with dozens of females, many of whom appeared to be under the age of eighteen. Additionally, the computer contained numerous images and videos of child pornography. The investigation into the identities and exact ages of the females is ongoing.

Police are asking for anyone who might have been a victim of Hutchinson, or who knows someone who might have been victimized, to call the Computer Crimes Unit of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council at 781-396-0893.