Former Reno Deputy Chief Thomas Robinson Among 13 Arrested in Child Exploitation Sting

Retired Reno Police Department Deputy Chief Thomas “Tom” Robinson was arrested on Thursday in an FBI-led child solicitation and exploitation operation—an alarming fall from grace that raises urgent questions about accountability in law enforcement.

Robinson, who spent nearly three decades with the Reno PD before retiring in January 2024, is among 13 individuals charged in a coordinated effort targeting sexual exploitation and trafficking. During the sting, undercover agents arranged meetings through online platforms posing as minors; in one alleged scenario, a suspect arrived expecting to engage with what they believed to be a 9-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Regional Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Task Force, involving the Washoe County School District Police and federal partners. The Reno Police Department released a brief statement confirming Robinson’s former role but emphasized he is no longer affiliated with the agency.

For years, law enforcement has been trusted to safeguard the public’s security and morality. When senior officials betray that trust, it’s a wound far deeper than individual misconduct—it undercuts faith in institutions. Conservatives believe in law and order, personal responsibility, and zero tolerance for hypocrisy. Robinson’s arrest is a reminder that no one—from patrol officer to high-ranking chief—is above the law.

What’s needed now is full transparency, aggressive prosecution, and reform to prevent such abuse of power going forward. Communities deserve leaders who protect the vulnerable, not those who compromise them.

Source: IBTimes / News sources via local reporting