Thomas Samuel Caine, a former Sidwell Friends substitute teacher, was arrested on June 27 and charged with possessing child pornography.
Caine was arrested in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multi-agency partnership that investigates and prosecutes crimes involving the exploitation of minors online, the Charlottesville Police Department (CPD) reported in a news release .
The CPD said it first received a cyber tip in May alleging that Caine was in possession of child pornography. Following a month-long investigation, police executed a search warrant in June, which ultimately led to his arrest.
Caine faces one count of knowingly possessing child pornography and four additional counts of second and subsequent violations of the same charge. Under Virginia law, the first count is classified as a Class 6 felony, carrying a potential prison term of one to five years and a fine of up to $2,500.
Each of the four subsequent counts is classified as a Class 5 felony, punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $2,500 per charge. If served consecutively, Caine faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison.
Caine worked in several part-time roles at Sidwell between September 2018 and July 2021. Although police say his strongest professional ties are with school districts in Northern Virginia, Caine has worked across Virginia over the past several years.
Head of School Bryan Garman informed parents, faculty, staff and alumni from the classes of 2019–2025, and families of summer camp participants from 2021 in a letter circulated shortly after Caine’s arrest. According to Garman, Caine served as a Middle School substitute teacher, a Middle and Upper School proctor during hybrid learning, an AP exam proctor and a teacher for the Discovery Day Camp.
Garman said there is no evidence that Caine engaged in misconduct during his tenure at Sidwell. Investigators from Charlottesville also confirmed that they have no information suggesting Caine acted inappropriately toward students, either at Sidwell or in other school settings, and that there is no indication he ever physically abused a minor.
The connection between Caine and Sidwell resurfaced after CPD investigators discovered a computer in his possession that had been purchased from Sidwell’s used inventory in June 2021. Garman said that the school follows standard procedures when selling equipment, which includes fully erasing all personal and institutional data before resale.
Sidwell requires all employees, including substitute teachers and contractors, to undergo fingerprinting, criminal background checks and other security screenings before they are hired. Caine’s background checks revealed no prior felonies, misdemeanors or inclusion on the National Sex Offender Registry.
Caine was booked at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, where he remained in custody until his scheduled court appearance on Aug. 15.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information related to this case to contact Detective Jack Samar at (434) 970-3734. In his email, Garman also encouraged parents, students and community members to remain vigilant and to report any concerns regarding inappropriate online behavior involving minors.
