Wicomico County, MD - The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and Wicomico County Advocacy Center recently conducted an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by an individual, who was later identified as James Arthur Thompson.

The investigation revealed alarming signs of long-term sexual abuse by Thompson towards the minor that lasted for several years.

The investigation reached its peak on April 15, 2024, when the findings were put forward to a Grand Jury in Wicomico County, Maryland.

As a result, James Arthur Thompson has been formally charged with an extensive list of offenses, including:

• Sex Abuse of a minor-House/Family Member

• Sex Abuse of a Minor

• Rape in the First Degree

• Rape in the Second Degree

• Sex Offense in the Second Degree

• Sex Offense in the Third Degree

• Sex Trafficking-Explicit Performance

• Sex Trafficking-Take/Cause

• Sexual Solicitation of a Minor

• Cause another to Engage in Sex Act-Threat

• Cause another to Engage in Sex Production-Threat

• Stalking

• Electronic Communication: Harass a Minor

• Telephone Misuse: Obscene

• Camera Surveillance of Private area with Prurient Intent

• Child Porn-Film in Sex Act

• Child Porn-Minor as Sex Subject

• Possession of Child Pornography

This results in a total of 228 charges against Thompson.

Thompson, is currently identified as a registered sex offender, stemming from a 2011 incident in Wicomico County, which ordered him to be classified as a Tier One Sex Offender. 

Thompson is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center. His first appearance in the Wicomico County Circuit Court is set for May 10, 2024.

Thompson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Anyone with information about this incident, or others involving Thompson, can contact Det. Chaffey at 410-548-4891 ext. 238.