02/25/2026
ISLAND HEIGHTS MAN CHARGED WITH
POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL,
DISTRIBUTING OBSCENE MATERIAL TO A MINOR,
LURING AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A MINOR
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 23, 2025, Thomas Koch, 60, of Island Heights was charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, two counts of Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor, two counts of Luring and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.
In September 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad were contacted by Agents from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations advising that a 12-year-old juvenile in their jurisdiction had been video chatting and texting in a sexually inappropriate manner with an adult who they were able to identify as Koch. Additionally, Detectives were contacted by the City of Sparks (Nevada) Police Department advising that a 13-year-old in their jurisdiction had been video chatting and texting with an adult in a sexually inappropriate manner; that individual was likewise identified as Koch.
On February 12, 2026, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Island Heights Police Department, and United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, executed a court-authorized search warrant on Koch’s residence. As a result, Detectives seized quantities of co***ne and methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia indicative of illegal drug distribution, as well as electronic devices. Koch was taken into custody at the residence without incident and originally charged with Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Co***ne with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Co***ne, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Koch was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
During the forensic examination of Koch’s electronic devices, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad discovered evidence which indicated that Koch had indeed been communicating inappropriately with both juvenile victims. On February 23, 2026, Koch was served with additional charges as referenced above at the Ocean County Jail.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Island Heights Police Department, United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and City of Sparks (Nevada) Police Department, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
