Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Thomas Encil Blake, 28, of Brownstown, Michigan, has been sentenced to 228 months in prison for producing and receiving child pornography. The sentence was handed down by Judge Laurie J. Michelson. Blake received a concurrent 60-month sentence for receipt of child pornography in addition to the longer term for production involving a six-year-old.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, who was joined by Matthew Stentz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit.
Authorities began investigating Blake in 2023 after the father of a 13-year-old girl discovered nude images of an adult man on his daughter's phone. Local law enforcement reported the incident to HSI, which identified Blake as residing in Southeast Michigan. In February 2024, HSI executed a search warrant at his home and found more than 8,000 images and over 6,000 videos of child pornography on multiple devices. The material included depictions of infants and toddlers as well as bestiality. During an interview with investigators, Blake admitted to downloading and sharing child pornography through social messaging applications.
Investigators learned that Blake often babysat children aged approximately five to six years old for people close to him. Evidence recovered from his iPhone showed videos and images depicting him committing sexual acts over or on top of sleeping children.
“This wicked man produced the vilest materials. He committed appalling crimes against little children that were entrusted to his care. And then he was ensnared by the work of his hands. We are thankful for the justice that was delivered through this court,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“We will hold sexual predators accountable for the torment they inflict on innocent children,” said ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz. “Our HSI special agents will continue to investigate crimes of exploitation in collaboration with our law enforcement partners. We are working everyday toward justice for the victims and survivors of these crimes wherever they may be.”
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation into this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Zurek and Ann Nee. Restitution matters are being handled by Jessica Nathan.
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