DUNNELLON, FL (352today.com) – A Dunnellon man is behind bars after deputies say a video game revealed he was hiding a 16-year-old girl from Ohio inside of his Rainbow Lakes Estates home.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reports they arrested 31-year-old Thomas Ebersole on Wednesday, January 3 on charges of traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, interfering with child custody, and sheltering an unmarried minor.
MCSO shared in a Facebook post that on January 3, detectives were contacted by a “special agent” with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) asking for their assistance to locate a missing 16-year-old girl from Ohio.
Authorities say they discovered that the teen’s World of Warcraft account, an online roleplaying game, was used at 2390 Southwest Shorewood Drive in Dunnellon. After further investigation, they say they learned this was the address of Ebersole’s home and that his World of Warcraft account was also used there.
When authorities arrived at Ebersole’s home they say at first, he denied knowing the minor. Later, the sheriff’s office says Ebersole admitted to driving to Ohio to meet the girl and driving her back to his home.
“Ebersole also stated he was in a romantic relationship with the juvenile victim and was going to hide her in his home with plans for her to become his wife,” shares MCSO.
MCSO says Ebersole also gave them Discord messages (a chatting service) that revealed his plans to meet with the minor in Ohio, as well as engage in sexual activity, knowing that he was breaking the law.
The sheriff’s office tells 352today that the minor was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center to be held until her guardian can retrieve her. They say since she is now out of their custody, they will not know exactly when she will be reunited with her parents.
Ebersole was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail where he is being held without a bond.