WARREN COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — On Friday, June 19, 2026, the investigative team at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office launched a proactive undercover chat operation targeting the online solicitation of minors within the Warren County/Front Royal area.

During the operation, an adult male allegedly initiated contact with one of the investigators acting in an undercover capacity as a juvenile female under the age of 15. During the chat exchange the suspect proceeded to request photos and lewd content from who he believed was a minor and also transmitted obscene materials to the investigator. The initial contact in this case was instigated by the suspect.

As the investigation unfolded, the suspect was identified as 30-year-old Tyler A. Thompson from Edinburg, Virginia. Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigators obtained two warrants charging Thompson with violations of Use of Communications Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Involving Children.

On June 20, 2026, deputies from Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Thompson at his residence without incident. Thompson was taken into custody and transported to the Rappahannock Shenandoah Warren (RSW) Regional Jail, where following a magistrate hearing he was ordered held without bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.