Arrest Made in 40-Year-Old Cold Case
A man living in the Philippines has been arrested in connection with a nearly four-decade-old unsolved case. Authorities say DNA evidence has linked him to the 1989 kidnapping and sexual assault of a young girl in Florida.
On April 23, 69-year-old Tom Talmadge was taken into custody at his residence in Cavite, Philippines. This followed information provided by US Homeland Security Investigations to local authorities. Just last month, a warrant was issued for his arrest by officials in Hillsborough County.
According to reports, Talmadge allegedly approached a seven-year-old girl at a bowling alley in Tampa in 1989, enticing her with coins to play an arcade game. Once she was drawn in, he is accused of luring her into his vehicle and subsequently assaulting her.
After the incident, he reportedly dropped the girl off at another nearby bowling alley and then fled. The girl’s disappearance led to a frantic search by employees at Tampa Lanes, and fortunately, a man at the second alley recognized her and helped her return home safely.
This case remained unsolved for nearly 40 years. It wasn’t until recently that investigators with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement successfully identified Talmadge through genealogy research and historical DNA evidence.
The arrest was part of the Philippine Immigration Bureau’s #ShieldKids campaign, aimed at safeguarding children from foreign sex offenders. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Beard emphasized the collaboration with international partners to protect children and ensure justice, stating that those who have committed crimes against minors will not find safe haven.
Following his arrest, Talmadge was moved to the BI Observatory facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he awaits extradition back to the United States. He faces serious charges, including sexual assault of a victim under 12, indecency with a child, and kidnapping.
As of now, there has been no immediate comment from the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the case.
