.jpg)
Wlaf1450
By SUSAN SHARP
LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Thomas Elsea, the man arrested earlier this year for allegedly attempting to purchase a child, has been indicted.
Elsea, 84, 339 Country Club Rd., LaFollette, was indicted on attempted illegal payments in connection with placement of child; sexual exploitation of a minor; two counts solicitation of a minor – aggravated rape.
In May, LaFollette Police stopped him from allegedly buying a child. The arrest was the culmination of an ongoing investigation.
Around 8pm on a Friday , the LPD arrested Elsea in the parking lot of local Mexican restaurant, according to LPD Chief Matt Forsyth.
Elsea, was charged with illegal payments in connection with the placement of a child. This is a Class C Felony. “This charge is in reference to attempting to purchase a child,” Forsyth said at the time.
A few days later Elsea saw another charge levied against him. He was charged with solicitation of rape of a child, according to Forsyth.
The charge was levied after more “intel was gained through the investigation,” the chief said. Elsea was the target of an operation that led to his arrest. There was not a child at risk in this investigation, according to Forsyth.
Elsea remains housed in the Campbell County Jail on a $1 million secured bond.
The LPD is the lead agency with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisting.
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 5/9/2025-10:25PM-UPDATED 11/21/2025-6AM)