Man accused of plotting to lure families, rape girls

Shawn Ryan Thomas planned to record, sell DVDs of brutal attacks, agents say

Shawn Thomas.

LONGWOOD, Fla. – A 29-year-old Longwood man was arrested on suspicion of plotting to lure families to a home and kill the parents before raping and killing their children.

Shawn Ryan Thomas was arrested Thursday night on charges of premeditated attempted homicide, attempted sexual assault on a victim under 12 and 10 counts of  possession of child pornography.

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According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, an investigation began a week ago when investigators received a tip from a confidential informant that Thomas was planning to lure parents and a girl into a vacant house in Longwood under the guise of producing a film or TV show. 

The FDLE said Thomas planned to kill the parents with a knife and rape and murder the girl.  He also planned to record video of the rape and produce a DVD to sell, investigators said.

On Saturday, the FDLE said, Thomas lured a father, grandfather and child to a vacant house in Longwood by saying he was a student making a film.  The family became suspicious and left, officials said.

Agents believe Thomas was going to try his plan again this weekend.

FDLE, with the assistance of Longwood Police Department, arrested Thomas in Longwood.  At the time of arrest, Thomas had a bag containing a knife, sexual lubricant, a camera and tripod, and plastic sheets, according to officials.

Thomas was booked into the Seminole County Jail without bond. 

Anyone with further information about Thomas is urged to call the FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center at 800-226-8521.