February 6, 2025 – Alpine County Sheriff’s Office officials report that (ACSO) Deputies received a suspected child abuse report from Alpine County Child Protective Services (CPS). The report alleged sexual misconduct with two separate victims, one aged 8 and one aged 10. The report alleged the suspect as being 24-year-old, Thomas Humiston. (Pictured Below)
Humiston, at the time of the CPS report, was residing in Douglas County, Nevada. While investigating the CPS report, ACSO learned the sexual misconduct had been continuously occurring for approximately 3 years prior in Beltrami County, Minnesota, before continuing to occur 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.
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 (CSAM).
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office issued a nationwide arrest warrant for Humiston. The charges outlined within the arrest warrant included two Felony counts of 1st Degree Penetration or Contact with a Person under 13.
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, ACSO Investigators, DCSO Investigators, FBI Agents, and a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy assigned to the Northern Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children task force responded to Humiston’s residence to execute a search warrant. Prior to serving the search warrant on Humiston’s residence, DCSO Investigators were able to locate and arrest Humiston at the AM/PM gas station on Waterloo.
Humiston remains in custody and is awaiting extradition back to Beltrami County, 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 would like to extend our 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.
If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous TipLine at 530-694-1380.
Source & photos: Alpine County Sheriff’s Office
