An Aloha, Oregon, man was sentenced on April 7 to ten years in federal prison for accessing child sexual abuse material while he was already on probation for a previous sex abuse conviction.
Thomas Allen Vetsch, age 56, received a sentence of 120 months in federal prison and will serve ten years of supervised release. Vetsch is a registered sex offender due to a prior conviction from 2006 related to encouraging child sex abuse.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said, “Protecting our children is the District of Oregon’s top priority. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable.” Homeland Security Investigations Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller also commented: “Mr. Vetsch’s 10-year sentence is clearly warranted, as he is a repeat offender with previous convictions for sexual abuse of a minor and accessing child sexual abuse material. HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify those engaged in the exploitation of children, whether directly or indirectly, and will continue to seek out and arrest those who access these materials.”
According to court documents, investigators searched Vetsch’s home on July 22, 2024 and found a laptop containing forty-three images of child sexual abuse material. A federal grand jury indicted him on August 20, charging him with transportation of child pornography and access with intent to view such materials. He pleaded guilty on January 12, 2026.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mira Chernick and Pamela Paaso.
Scott Bradford has served as U.S. Attorney after previously holding roles including Chief of the White Collar Unit and Acting Chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section,according to the official website. The U.S. Attorney's Office engages in community outreach efforts across Oregon according to its official website, maintains offices in Portland, Eugene, and Medford according to its official website, operates under the Department of Justice as one among ninety-three such offices nationwide according to its official website, employs one hundred seven staff members according to its official website, and seeks justice by representing the United States in civil and criminal matters while fostering trust in the federal judicial system according to its official website.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction involving sexually explicit conduct by minors; such materials document actual crimes against children that are re-victimized each time they are shared online or viewed again.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice—to address increasing cases involving exploitation or abuse against children.
