Elsea sees additional charge filed in child trafficking case

The LaFollette Police Department is the lead agency with the TBI assisting

UPDATE (5/12/2025-1:45pm)- Thomas Elsea is facing another charge following his Friday night arrest. Earlier today, he was charged with solicitation of rape of a child, according to LaFollette Chief of Police Matt Forsyth.

The charge was levied after more “intel was gained through the investigation,” the chief said. “This is still a very open investigation.”

Elsea was the target of an operation that led to his arrest on Friday night. There was not a child at risk in this investigation, according to Forsyth. As to whether other adults were involved in this case, Forsyth said this was “still a very open investigation.”

“We are diligently investigating this. My investigators are still digging into this case day and night,” he said. ” I am very proud of the work they are doing.”

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- Friday night, LaFollette Police stopped a man from buying a child. The arrest was the culmination of an ongoing investigation.

Around 8pm, the LPD arrested 83-year-old Thomas Elsea in the parking lot of local Mexican restaurant, according to LPD Chief Matt Forsyth.

UPDATE: At 4:45 Monday morning, LaFollette Police were called to Elsea’s 339 Country Club Road on the report of a break-in. A neighbor called police, and when an officer arrived, he reported that he found several doors to Elsea’s home were open.

Elsea, a LaFollette resident, 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.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, few details are being released, the chief said. Elsea was booked into the Campbell County Jail.

The LPD is the lead agency with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisting.

Elsea, 83, of 339 Country Club Road, LaFollette, remains housed in the Campbell County Jail without bond and is due in court on May 20, according to officials at the jail. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 5/12/2025-6AM)