Thomas Emmerson had been living in Dangriga for 10 years and now that he's been revealed as a child pornographer, the question is how long has the American retiree known to town residents as "Mr. Tom" been exploiting and abusing the children of Dangriga?
It's a deeply worrying question and one Keith Swift went looking for answers to today when he followed Thom Emmerson's trail across Dangriga Town, here's his story.
When alleged child pornographer Thomas Emmerson was busted last week, it was at this house on Church Street in Dangriga Town. His home sits in the cross path of 2 primary schools, Sacred Heart and Epworth Methodist so hundreds of young students trod pass it daily and judging from what town residents say is his past history, he may have used this house as a strategic vantage point to entice children into the doors of what investigators say was a den of depravity.
ASP Justo Augustine, Officer-In- Charge Dangriga Police
"In this case this person had these children engaging in child pornography and that is the reason why he was charged with trafficking in persons."
The computer equipment and discs taken from his house may elicit further and even more disturbing information on the life Thomas Emmerson cultivated in his 10 years in Dangriga. Accompanied by the Stann Creek Star's Alberto August, our 7NEWS team canvassed the neighborhoods he previously lived in - Rivas Estate and 2nd New Site - and everyone we spoke to agreed that the single retired U.S. resident was always in the company of children.
Dunhill Williams, Rivas Estate Resident
"From my observation he had been frequently visited by some children around the neighborhood and he has always been around pure kids, just kids."
Keith Swift,
"When you say kids what ages are you talking bout?"
Dunhill Williams,
"About ages 11, 9, 10 or there about."
Keith Swift,
"Boys or girls?"
Dunhill Williams,
"Both boys and girls."
Keith Swift,
"So what would he be doing with these kids?"
Dunhill Williams,
"I have no idea. I just see the kids coming in and out everyday and its a constant thing, everyday it happens."
Keith Swift,
"Did u think anything was going on?"
Dunhill Williams,
"Well from what neighbors said and people who know about him they thought hat something was going on but there was no hard evidence to say that things were really happening sexually or you know any type of molestation."
Keith Swift,
"Is this shocking to hear that he was busted with child porn?"
Dunhill Williams,
"It wasn't surprising at all. It wasn't surprising because we noticed the movement from ever since and he always been with kids. There was never an adult around at anytime, just pure kids coming in and out and some of the kids that he had were kids that were hustling, kids that couldn't really do anything for themselves."
Keith Swift,
"These were young kids? School aged kids?"
Dunhill Williams,
"Yes and actually some of these kids came straight from school to visit him."
Joanna Evans, 2nd New Site Area Resident
"I've seen him a couple times and I think on one occasion I saw him with one or two kids I can't be specific just saw him walking."
Keith Swift,
"What was he doing with the kids?"
Joanna Evans,
"Just walking with them. pretty much that's it, they were walking with him so I knew they were together."
Keith Swift,
"So he was always by himself?"
Joanna Evans,
"Yeah pretty much, I didn't see him with any other adult per se."
His history in those other two communities led him to number 7 Church Street where he moved to about a month ago. We canvassed the area today and no one knew much about the old man who always sat on his verandah alone. Police didn't know much either until last week when a mother reported her 14 year old daugther missing. The search for the missing girl led them to 7 church street.
Justo Augustine,
"There was a 14 year old girl, a student, who had gone missing and that led us to the home of Mr. Thomas Emmerson at number 7 Church Street where this young lady was found. Further police investigation led to the discovery of a computer along with a digital camera and assorted CDS believed to be used in the production of pornographic photographs."
Keith Swift,
"Can u tell us what if anything these pictures depict?"
Justo Augustine,
"At this time I wouldn't want to comment on that."
While Augustine would not comment further, our sources say that on those discs seized they are dozens of pictures and some short videos of children engaging in highly deviant sexual behaviour. And while police build the child pornopgraphy case against Emmerson, he sits at the Hattieville Prison. Today we found one Dangriga resident who says Emmerson was a good neighbour and he doesn't belong in jail.
Peter Reyes, Friend of Accused
"He is a friendly man, he lived by himself and he rented a house by my areas."
Keith Swift,
"Neighbors say a lot of kids used to go to his house? Did u see this?"
Peter Reyes,
"Well yes I saw a lot of kids and I even talked to them and they said he bought school books for them and he helped them very much because they dont have a father."
Keith Swift,
"So do you think he was doing this out of the goodness of his heart?"
Peter Reyes,
"I don't know but what I know is that they always go to his house and when they leave it is with a lot of things in their hands that he offers them."
"I don't know what's going on inside but me personally know that he treat them with love."
Keith Swift,
"Would you allow your young child to visit with Mr. Emmerson?"
Peter Reyes,
"Me personally don't allow my child to go to nobody's house in my areas."
And that coming from one parent is advice which the officer who heads the Dangriga police station says we should best all heed.
Justo Augustine,
"Parents need to know the whereabouts of their children and parents need to communicate with their children at all times."
Police in Belmopan are reviewing the files on Emmerson's computer as well as 44 compact discs and more charges are expected to be brought when that is completed. So far police have recorded complaints form two teenaged girls who told them that he took pornographic photographs of them. Notable, they did not disclose any details of sexual relations with Emmerson. Under human trafficking laws, exploiting children for pornography is illegal but there are specific offences which also deal with this crime.