Credit: U.S. Embassy, Manila
After nearly four decades, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has solved a kidnapping and sexual battery case from 1989.
On Nov. 20, 1989, a 7-year-old victim was at Tampa Lanes when she was approached by an adult male who lured her to his vehicle, abducted her, and, over the course of the next few hours, sexually battered her. The victim was ultimately released in the area of Crown Lanes on West Hillsborough Avenue.
At the time, a large-scale investigation was conducted, and biological evidence was collected, yielding a viable DNA profile. Despite extensive investigative efforts, the case eventually went cold. In 2005, the DNA profile was entered into CODIS; however, no matches were found.
In 2022, due to advancements in DNA technology and with grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the evidence was resubmitted for additional analysis. HCSO began a comprehensive reinvestigation, including re-interviewing the victim, witnesses, and original responding personnel.
Through continued forensic advancements, additional DNA testing was conducted between 2023 and early 2024 in partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). In October 2023, the FDLE conducted familial DNA testing, resulting in no matches. In December 2023, FDLE’s Genetic Genealogy Investigations Team (GGI) began research to locate distant relatives of the suspect. Over 11 months, GGI conducted extensive genealogical and analytical research and provided HCSO with an investigative lead on the possible identity of the suspect.vThe investigation identified Young Tom Talmadge, 70, as the suspect, who was now living in the Philippines.
In December 2024, HCSO partnered with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, which coordinated with HSI Manila and Philippine law enforcement authorities to locate Talmadge and obtain a DNA sample.
In February 2025, surveillance operations by HSI Manila special agents led to the successful collection of that sample. In March 2025, forensic analysis confirmed that the DNA collected overseas matched the DNA recovered from the 1989 crime scene. On March 21, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued, charging Talmadge with:
- Sexual Battery (Victim Less Than 12; Defendant 18 or Older) (x4)
- Lewd and Lascivious Act on a Child
- Kidnapping to Commit a Felony on a Child
On April 23, 2025, Philippine authorities, alongside HSI Manila special agents, took Talmadge into custody and initiated deportation proceedings. Following legal delays, he was ultimately ordered removed.
“For nearly four decades, this victim has carried the weight of a horrific crime. Today, we deliver what she has long deserved: answers and accountability. No matter how much time passes, our detectives will never stop pursuing justice for victims,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This case would not have been possible without the critical partnership and coordination with Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners in the Philippines.”
“This investigation is a testament to the power of persistence and the incredible advances in DNA analysis technology,” said HSI Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs. “Thanks to these scientific breakthroughs and working with our HSI partners in Manila, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to identify a suspect who had been hiding a half a world away for decades. Today, we are one step closer to bringing closure to a lifetime of victimhood for the survivor and her family.”
“Justice has been long overdue for the victim of this heinous crime,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “FDLE has the resources and team of experts to assist our law enforcement.”
After nearly a year, Talmadge was returned to the United States by the Philippine National Police on April 21, 2026, and arrived on April 22, 2026. He is currently being held at Rikers Island in New York pending extradition to Hillsborough County within the coming weeks.