Bunnell man sentenced to life for child molestation
Booking photo of Thomas Underwood
BUNNELL, Fla. – A Bunnell man plead no contest on Wednesday to eight felonies related to sexual crimes against children and was sentenced to life in prison.
Thomas Underwood, 32, was found guilty by Circuit Judge David Walsh on one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and seven counts of sexual battery on a minor. Walsh sentenced Underwood to 30 years prison on the seven sexual battery counts, followed by a consecutive life sentence on the molestation count.
The assistant state attorney filed a motion asking the court to declare Underwood a registered sexual predator, which is consequence required by statute for the conviction.
Underwood committed the crimes against several victims in the mid-1990s. The victims came forward to report the crimes 16 years later.
Copyright 2014 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
About the Author Francine Frazier headshot
A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.
Duval County School Board adds Schools of Hope to legislative agenda amid parent concerns ▶ 0:50
Duval County School Board adds Schools of Hope to legislative agenda amid parent concerns
‘He’ll be missed’: Family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run pleads for witnesses to come forward ▶ 0:51
‘He’ll be missed’: Family of bicyclist killed in hit-and-run pleads for witnesses to come forward
Raines Vikings celebrated at DCPS school board meeting ▶ 0:58
Raines Vikings celebrated at DCPS school board meeting
Westside apartment complex again under scrutiny as residents report squatters, safety concerns ▶ 0:36
Westside apartment complex again under scrutiny as residents report squatters, safety concerns
2 separate police-involved shootings leave one man dead, one injured ▶ 0:57
2 separate police-involved shootings leave one man dead, one injured
Start your new year off right with these events from Jan. 9 - 11 ▶ 1:04
Start your new year off right with these events from Jan. 9 - 11
Start 2026 with purpose: Volunteer for United Way Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 with purpose: Volunteer for United Way Northeast Florida’s MLK Day of Service
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Bartram Park area ▶ 1:24
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Bartram Park area
Community rallies behind Middleburg teacher after she lost a decade of work in a fire ▶ 1:04
Community rallies behind Middleburg teacher after she lost a decade of work in a fire
Meet the man behind Trevor Lawrence’s viral gifted grillz after game win ▶ 1:17
Meet the man behind Trevor Lawrence’s viral gifted grillz after game win
Light Weight: Jaguars fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at local bar ▶ 1:01
Light Weight: Jaguars fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at local bar
Richard's Swing Makeover: Final assembly & first swing test! ▶ 1:29
Richard's Swing Makeover: Final assembly & first swing test!
Northeast Florida agencies, advocates, survivors work to expose, stop human trafficking ▶ 1:17
Northeast Florida agencies, advocates, survivors work to expose, stop human trafficking
DeSantis on Maduro's capture ▶ 0:46
DeSantis on Maduro's capture
President Donald Trump says the US will 'run' Venezuela, announces capture of Maduro and his wife ▶ 0:52
President Donald Trump says the US will 'run' Venezuela, announces capture of Maduro and his wife
Navy sailors accused of getting paid thousands to marry Chinese nationals who wanted legal status ▶ 1:05
Navy sailors accused of getting paid thousands to marry Chinese nationals who wanted legal status
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness ▶ 0:43
Friends march from Jacksonville to D.C to advocate for social welfare programs, address homelessness
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida ▶ 0:30
Start 2026 With Purpose: Volunteer on MLK Day of Service With United Way Northeast Florida
Bracing for weekend storms ▶ 0:40
Bracing for weekend storms
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions ▶ 1:15
Jacksonville residents share their 2026 New Year's resolutions
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational ▶ 0:32
Owner of stolen Jacksonville food trailer says he's working to get it operational
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach ▶ 0:15
6-week-old baby dips her toes in water for Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend ▶ 0:55
Meteorologist Katie Garner tracks rain through the weekend
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville ▶ 0:57
3 separate shootings in Jacksonville during New Year's celebrations in Jacksonville
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's ▶ 1:54
Fernandina Beach drops the shrimp to celebrate New Year's
Previous photo Next photo 