Longmont Man Arrested on 10 Child Exploitation Charges

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A 36-year-old Longmont man was arrested on Monday and charged with 10 felony counts related to the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. The investigation began after a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab and the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Why it matters

Crimes involving the exploitation of children are a serious concern for law enforcement and prosecutors, who treat these cases as a top priority. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of possessing or distributing child sexual abuse material.

The details

According to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, the investigation into Thomas Daniel Merritt began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip about possible child sexual abuse material being stored on a cloud platform. The tip was referred to the Colorado ICAC task force and then to the Boulder County Digital Forensics Lab, which determined the suspect might be located in Boulder County. Investigators used court orders to identify Merritt as a suspect, and a search warrant was later executed at his Longmont residence, where evidence was gathered from electronic devices that led to the arrest warrant.

• The investigation began after a tip was received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
• On November 6, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Merritt's residence in Longmont.
• On March 9, 2026, Merritt was arrested and booked into the Boulder County Jail on the arrest warrant.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Merritt will be seen by a judicial officer to determine if he will be granted bail.