Thomas Encil Blake, 28, of Brownstown, Michigan, has been sentenced to 228 months in prison for producing and receiving child pornography. The sentence was handed down by Judge Laurie J. Michelson. Blake received a concurrent 60-month sentence for receipt of child pornography in addition to the production charge involving a six-year-old.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, who was joined by Matthew Stentz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit.
Authorities began investigating Blake in 2023 after the father of a 13-year-old girl discovered nude images of an adult man on his daughter’s phone. Local law enforcement referred the case to HSI, which identified Blake as living in Southeast Michigan. In February 2024, HSI executed a search warrant at Blake’s home and found over 8,000 images and more than 6,000 videos of child pornography on multiple devices. Some files depicted infants, toddlers, and acts involving bestiality. During questioning by HSI agents, Blake admitted to downloading and sharing child pornography through social messaging apps.
Blake had often babysat children between five and six years old for people close to him. Investigators later found images and videos on his iPhone showing him committing sexual acts over or on top of sleeping children.
“This wicked man produced the vilest materials. He committed appalling crimes against little children that were entrusted to his care. And then he was ensnared by the work of his hands. We are thankful for the justice that was delivered through this court,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
“We will hold sexual predators accountable for the torment they inflict on innocent children,” said ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz. “Our HSI special agents will continue to investigate crimes of exploitation in collaboration with our law enforcement partners. We are working everyday toward justice for the victims and survivors of these crimes wherever they may be.”
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation into this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary Zurek and Ann Nee. Restitution matters are being managed by Jessica Nathan.
