The sentencing of Thomas Edward Carson today should ensure that he never gets out of prison, according to Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan.
Flanagan explained that a sentence of 18 years to life most likely means that Carson’s total sentence will include him never being released.
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BACKGROUND:
In early September 2025, detectives with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a reported rape of a twelve-year-old. After a thorough investigation, 47-year-old Thomas Edward Carson of Bellaire, Ohio, was charged with Rape of a Minor Under 13 in Eastern Division Court in Belmont County.
The U.S. Marshals Service (Northern District of West Virginia), the Bellaire Police Department, the Martins Ferry Police Department, the Belmont County Child Protective Services, and the Wheeling Police Department.
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Flanagan added that Carson’s criminal history shows an individual that cannot function outside of prison walls. As Judge Chris Berhalter pointed out, Flanagan stated that Carson has had a series of criminal offenses for which he has done prior prison sentences. Flanagan noted six prior felonies as well as juvenile and misdemeanor offenses. None, according to Flanagan, included child sexual assault, until now.
Flanagan said that based on a very comprehensive investigation by the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that Carson started to have sexual contact with at least one child that was known to him. Flanagan said that the mother of that child was also prosecuted for an obstructing charge for which she, too, received a prison sentence.
Flanagan added that the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) and his office filed a complaint in juvenile court to remove all children from her custody, permanently. Flanagan explained that his office believes that she has forfeited any right to regaining the children in the future, even after her release from custody. Flanagan said a ruling on that hearing is pending.
As far as Carson being released on parole, Flanagan said that it is highly doubtful given the life sentence imposed.
“What we do in cases such as these is that we will prepare everything now for the parole board. Therefore, in 18 years, all documents detailing this horrific crime will be in possession of the board. The board will have everything that they need to deny parole if ever Carson becomes eligible. This includes Carson’s numerous criminal violations and prison sentences that occurred before this incident,” according to Flanagan. “Simply put, Carson should never, ever be released from prison. He was a menace before given his prior theft, gun and drug charges. Now, he is a child sex abuser. In my opinion, he should never be let out.”
Flanagan gave an example of another case that he handled in 1997 where the individual received a 10-to-50-year sentence.
“That individual has already been denied parole and will not see the parole board again until 2029. If that individual has not been released, I think it is unlikely that Carson ever earns his release.”
Flanagan closed by saying that detectives Jason Schwarck and Jordan Blumling of the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, members of DJFS and others deserve significant credit. The investigation was so thorough and comprehensive that it allowed for the potential life sentence without the child-victim ever having to testify.
“A good investigation provides a solid foundation and is important in these cases given the vulnerabilities of the children we deal with in our prosecutions. We are immensely grateful for that level of investigation,” said Flanagan.
