Columbus man who sexually abused non-verbal boy with autism sentenced to 35 years in prison

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Christian Toms, 47, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 420 months in prison for child pornography crimes involving a non-verbal boy with autism.

According to court documents, between October 2024 and February 2025, Toms sexually exploited the 11-year-old, wholly non-verbal boy and created child pornography of the abuse. Toms distributed the child sexual abuse materials to others with whom he communicated online about their sexual interest in children.

Investigators searched Toms's residence and electronics after cyber tips were submitted regarding one of the men with whom Toms was communicating online.

A search of Toms's iPhone revealed more than 130 files, including images and videos, that depicted the non-verbal minor nude or being sexually abused by the defendant. The phone contained a total of 700 images and videos of child pornography.

In his online conversations, Toms shared photos of other minor males in his residence and discussed grooming a second victim. He messaged, in part, "…too bad [minor victim] is neuro typical…" and "I'm gonna get him I swear lol."

Toms pleaded guilty in December 2025 to producing, distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio: Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

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