THOMASVILLE — After an investigation of more than two years, Thomasville police zeroed in on an Indiana man who has been extradited to Thomas County in a 2018 child molestation case.

In March 2018, parents noticed their 14-year-old daughter acting strangely when she talked on her phone, said Lt. Toby Knifer, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander.

An inappropriate conversation between the teen and a male was discovered, Knifer said, adding that the man requested illicit photographs of the girl.

“Through our investigation, we discovered where the messages were coming from,” Knifer said.

Several search warrants were conducted through social media networks. John Michael Altman, 21, Logansport, Indiana, was confirmed as the person contacting the Thomasville teen, the commander explained.

Indiana authorities assisted TPD in the investigation and took Altman into custody. The suspect was later extradited to Thomas County.

Altman, who arrived Wednesday at the Thomas County Jail, is charged with child molestation and obscene Internet contact with a child.

“Be aware of children’s surroundings,” Knifer advises parents. “There are predators.”

Parents should have a conversation with their children about the danger of corresponding with people they do not know and who request inappropriate photographs, Knifer said. 

 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820