Sheriff Bobby Jones reports the arrest of a Somerset man after an investigation determined that the man attempted to extort a woman for the purpose of sex.
Detective Branson Patterson with the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division began the investigation after the victim, an adult female, reported that the suspect began threatening to make negative statements about her to a third party if she did not pay him by sending him explicit photographs of herself.
Tyler Michael Thomas, 33, was arrested and charged with Sexual Extortion after Det. Patterson completed an investigation that involved tracing back through the account that Thomas was using to contact the victim. Det. Patterson used this to discover Thomas’ identity.
Thomas was lodged at the Pulaski County Detention Center, where he is still being held under a $5,000 cash bond.
Sexual Extortion, often referred to as “sextortion,” is a new statute in Kentucky, passed by the General Assembly in 2025. The new statute protects citizens against perpetrators who use threats to force victims into unwanted acts.
Det. Patterson was assisted in the investigation by Deputy Zachary Huff.