Thomas Spencer, 51, an Idaho man who boasted online about repeatedly drugging a woman and sexually assaulting her while she was unconscious, has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to rape.
Background
Spencer had been active in a Telegram group since at least 2019 whose members shared videos of drugging and sexually assaulting victims, according to the Ada County Prosecutor's Office. The Meridian Police Department began investigating after receiving a tip from federal authorities who had been monitoring the encrypted chat platform for exploitation content.
Prosecutors allege Spencer posted at least eight videos documenting multiple assaults on his victim in the group, while hundreds more were uncovered during the investigation. In posts to the group, Spencer used the victim's name when he boasted about assaulting her and described drugging her specifically so he could violate her without her knowledge or consent.
The Investigation
"Can't count how many times I've done that!" Spencer wrote in one post, according to prosecutors. The victim recognized herself when shown the videos but had no memory of what happened to her. She told investigators she experienced unexplained headaches and pain consistent with sexual assault after drinking wine with Spencer, and recalled once confronting him after noticing he had taken photos of her.
The FBI's tip led Meridian police to move quickly on the case. The Ada County Prosecutor's Office worked in partnership with federal law enforcement throughout the investigation and prosecution.
District Judge Annie McDevitt presided over the sentencing hearing in Ada County District Court, calling the crimes "unfathomable."
"The conduct in this case is horrific," she told Spencer. "I don't think there's a word strong enough to describe how egregious your behavior was."
Sentencing
Spencer pleaded guilty on June 29 to one count of rape. In exchange for the plea, four additional counts of rape, as well as charges of video voyeurism and delivery of a controlled substance, were dismissed. He may be eligible for parole after serving 40 years.
The victim addressed the court at sentencing, describing the lasting toll Spencer's assaults have taken on her life.
"I ask the court to consider the lasting and irreversible impact his crime has had on my life and my children's lives," she said, according to prosecutors.
Key Takeaways
- Thomas Spencer, 51, sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to rape in Ada County District Court
- Spencer admitted to drugging a woman repeatedly over an extended period while sharing videos of the assaults in a Telegram group
- Hundreds of videos documenting the crimes were recovered during the investigation
- The victim had no memory of the assaults but recognized herself when shown footage
- Four additional rape counts and charges of video voyeurism and controlled substance delivery were dismissed as part of plea deal
- Spencer may be eligible for parole after serving 40 years
What's Next
With sentencing complete, Spencer will begin serving his life sentence in the Idaho State Correctional system. While he may petition for parole after four decades, any release would require approval from the Idaho Parole Commission.
"This wasn't a stranger who attacked her in a moment of opportunity — this was someone she trusted completely, who chose to violate her again and again, then shared it with strangers for their entertainment," said Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. "This sentence reflects just how serious that betrayal of trust was, and sends a clear message that this conduct will not be tolerated."