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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was arrested in connection with a cold case that occurred nearly four decades ago.
On Nov. 20, 1989, a 7-year-old girl was at Tampa Lanes, located on North Dale Mabry Highway, when she was approached by a man who lured her to his vehicle.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, over the course of the next few hours the man sexually battered the child before releasing her in the area of Crown Lanes on West Hillsborough Avenue.
An investigation was conducted, and DNA evidence was collected, but the case eventually went cold.
In 2005, the DNA evidence collected in the initial investigation was entered into an FBI program that operates criminal-justice DNA databases but no matches were found.
In 2022, following advancements in DNA technology, the evidence was resubmitted for additional analysis and the investigation was reopened.
Further DNA testing was conducted between 2023 and early 2024 in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
In Oct. of 2023, FDLE conducted familial DNA testing, which yielded no matches.
In Dec. 2023, FDLE’s Genetic Genealogy Investigations Team (GGI) began researching distant relatives of possible suspects. Over the next 11 months, GGI conducted extensive genealogical and analytical research that eventually led to the possible identity of the person responsible.
The investigation identified 70-year-old Tom Talmadge as a suspect, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
HCSO reports that at this time Talmadge was living in the Philippines.
In Dec. of 2024, HCSO partnered with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa and coordinated with HSI Manila and Philippine law enforcement authorities to locate Talmadge and obtain a DNA sample.
After the sample was confirmed a match to the DNA recovered from the 1989 crime scene an arrest warrant was issued for Talmadge charging him with sexual battery of a victim less than 12, lewd and lascivious acts on a child, and kidnapping to commit a felony on a child.
“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.”
On April 23, 2025, Philippine authorities, alongside HSI Manila special agents, took Talmadge into custody and initiated deportation proceedings.
Talmadge was returned to the United States by the Philippine National Police on April 21, 2026, after nearly a year. He is currently being held at Rikers Island in New York pending extradition to Hillsborough County.
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