ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. – A 24-year-old man is under arrest for alleged sexual misconduct with two young victims. Thomas Humiston was arrested on January 30 at the AM/PM gas station on Waterloo in Douglas County, Nev. after members of the Northern Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children task force went to Humiston’s residence to execute a search warrant. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies located Humiston at the gas station and arrested him and the suspect is currently in the Minden jail awaiting extradition to Beltrami County, Minnesota.
Alpine County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Deputies received a suspected child abuse report from Alpine County Child Protective Services (CPS). The report alleged sexual misconduct by Humiston with two separate victims, one aged 8 and one aged 10.
Humiston, at the time of the CPS report, was residing in Douglas County, Nev. While investigating the CPS report, ACSO learned the sexual misconduct had been continuously occurring for approximately three years prior in Beltrami County, Minnesota, before continuing to happen in the Hung A Lel Ti Native American Community in Alpine County. Investigators assigned to the case coordinated their investigation with a Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office investigator. Beltrami investigators were able to develop probable cause that Humiston committed sex crimes in Beltrami County as well.
On January 28, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Humiston. The charges outlined in the warrant included two Felony counts of First-Degree Penetration or Contact with a Person under 13. Then on January 30 he was arrested by ACSO investigators, DCSO investigators, FBI agents, and a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy assigned to the task force.
Alpine County Investigators coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) due to the severity of the crimes alleged and crimes occurring in different states. Additionally, there was information leading investigators to believe that Humiston was in possession of / distributing digital Child Sexual Abuse Material.
The Alpine County cases of alleged sexual misconduct while the suspect lived in Alpine County are still under investigation so the suspect is being transferred first to Minnesota.
The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the alleged sexual misconduct by Humiston while he resided in Alpine County.
Additionally, the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office extend its gratitude to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, FBI, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no other information will be released at this time.
If you or someone you know has information regarding Thomas Humiston or any other potential victims, please call the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office to speak with the case investigator, Deputy J. Turner at (530) 694-2231, ext. 363.
If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous TipLine at 530-694-1380.