Meridian Man Arrested in Connection with Years-Long Sexual Assault, Secretly Recorded Videos
BOISE, Idaho – A 50-year-old man from Meridian, Idaho, has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges following an investigation into a years-long pattern of sexual assault and the secret recording of those assaults. Thomas Spencer was taken into custody Friday, according to Meridian police.
The investigation began after authorities received a tip regarding videos posted in a Telegram chat room. These videos allegedly depicted Spencer engaging in sexual activity with an adult woman who appeared to be incoherent, police stated in a news release. Detectives were able to identify Spencer as the individual in the videos and subsequently identified the female victim.
Investigators determined that the woman did not consent to the sexual activity, was unaware that she was being recorded, and has no recollection of the incidents. The alleged abuse spanned a period of five years, during which Spencer reportedly used controlled pharmaceutical substances to incapacitate the victim before committing the assaults.
According to police, Spencer admitted to obtaining these drugs through contacts made on Telegram and using them repeatedly to subdue the victim. The investigation revealed that Spencer was receiving controlled pharmaceutical substances through the mail from these contacts.
Spencer has been booked into jail on five counts of rape and five counts of video voyeurism, all classified as felonies. Police indicated that the investigation remains active and that additional charges may be filed as they continue to gather evidence.
This case echoes concerns raised in other recent Idaho cases involving sexual assault and abuse of power. In Boise, psychiatrist Alexander Wills, 45, pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault charges just four days prior, on , following an investigation that began on . A former state caregiver was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison in April 2024 for the sexual assault of a disabled woman under state care, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals in caregiving situations.
The Meridian Police Department is urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to fully understand the extent of the abuse and to provide support to the victim. The case also raises questions about the role of social media platforms like Telegram in facilitating and concealing such crimes.
The Attorney General’s office has previously addressed concerns regarding the prosecution of assault cases, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigation and careful presentation of evidence. While details of that previous case, involving events in Dietrich, Idaho, are limited, the emphasis on due process and evidentiary standards remains relevant to the current investigation.
