WEST CHESTER, PA — A 28-year-old Downingtown man already registered as a sex offender faces charges of trafficking minors, sexual assault and drug distribution after Chester County investigators alleged he supplied marijuana and THC vape cartridges to three teenagers in exchange for sexual contact and explicit images.
Elijah Thomas, 28, was arrested Oct. 8, 2026, and is being held at Chester County Prison on combined bail of $700,000 across two criminal complaints involving two 14-year-olds and a 17-year-old, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.
Thomas is a Tier II registrant under Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act, with prior convictions for stalking and sexual contact with a minor.
According to the criminal complaints, the investigation began when West Whiteland Township police received information that an adult man was allegedly providing marijuana to minors and demanding sexual contact or money in return.
Investigators interviewed a 14-year-old boy who reported that Thomas had contacted him through Snapchat. Police subsequently identified a second 14-year-old boy who also reported being sexually assaulted by Thomas.
Both teenagers told investigators they communicated with Thomas through Snapchat and that he allegedly supplied THC products and vape cartridges in exchange for sexual contact and sexually explicit images.
A separate report to Downingtown Borough police led Chester County detectives to investigate allegations involving a 17-year-old girl.
According to investigators, the teenager reported that she began communicating with Thomas when she was 15 and that he pressured her to engage in sexual acts.
She also alleged that Thomas provided THC products and vape cartridges in exchange for sexual contact.
Thomas faces charges including trafficking minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with minors, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, and related offenses.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe urged anyone who believes they were victimized by Thomas to contact West Whiteland Township police.
The West Whiteland Township Police Department and Chester County Detectives are leading the investigation, with assistance from Downingtown Borough police.
Anyone with information about the allegations or other potential victims is asked to contact Detective Buchmann of the West Whiteland Township Police Department at 610-363-0200 or Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866.
Concerns about a child’s safety can also be reported to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 or, in an emergency, by calling 911.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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