According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Michael Thomas appears in 5 case documents in the Epstein files.
Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York. Thomas and fellow guard Tova Noel were the two officers assigned to monitor Epstein's unit on the night of August 9-10, 2019, when Epstein was found dead. Both were charged with falsifying prison records and conspiracy for failing to perform required inmate checks. Surveillance showed both appeared to be sleeping during shifts. Charges were dropped in May 2021 after both agreed to community service and cooperation with investigations.
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Michael Thomas is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Michael Albert Thomas (born February 11, 1978) was a Material Handler Supervisor employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City. His official title was Material Handler Specialist/Foreman, though he was assigned correctional officer duties in the Special Housing Unit (SHU). Thomas had no prior criminal history. He resided in New Jersey, with addresses in Piscataway and Keasbey. He was a Black male, 5'06" tall, weighing 165 lbs.
Epstein Connection
Michael Thomas was one of two officers assigned to the MCC Special Housing Unit on the overnight shift of August 9-10, 2019, the night Jeffrey Epstein died. Thomas was assigned as 'Special Housing Unit#2 Officer Morning Shift 12:00 AM-8:00 AM.' At approximately 6:33 a.m. on August 10, 2019, Thomas found Jeffrey Epstein dead in cell L220 on the ninth floor of the MCC with a strip of bedsheet around his neck. Thomas and co-defendant Tova Noel were subsequently charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false records for failing to conduct required inmate checks and falsifying count slips to conceal their dereliction. Both entered deferred prosecution agreements in May 2021.
Key Allegations(7)
Thomas and Noel repeatedly failed to perform mandated counts of prisoners in the SHU, and instead sat at their desk, browsed the Internet, and moved around the common area during their shifts.
documentedThomas and Noel repeatedly signed false certifications attesting to having conducted multiple counts of inmates when they never conducted such counts.
documentedThomas and Noel made a statement after Epstein's death that they did not complete proper 30-minute rounds.
documentedWhen FBI and OIG agents attempted to interview Thomas on August 12, 2019, he denied over the phone that he was Thomas and did not agree to speak with agents.
documentedThomas appeared to be sleeping during portions of his shift, as observed on surveillance video.
documentedThomas downloaded and printed a SHU 30 check sheet form from his computer at approximately 12:39-12:43 a.m. on August 10, 2019, suggesting the form was filled out in advance rather than during actual rounds.
documentedAn unverified claim forwarded by Mark Epstein alleged that prison guards Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were paid $6,500 so they would not visit prisoners.
disputedLegal Status
On November 19, 2019, Thomas was charged by indictment with one count of conspiring to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) and three counts of making false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3)). On May 25, 2021, Thomas entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the USAO-SDNY, requiring community service and cooperation with investigations. Thomas subsequently separated from the Bureau of Prisons.
Notable Statements(1)
“Thomas denied over the phone that he was Thomas”
Contradictions(3)
Thomas and Noel signed count slips certifying they had conducted multiple required inmate checks throughout their shift.
Surveillance video analysis and the investigation determined that Thomas and Noel did not conduct any of the required institutional counts. For substantial portions of their shifts, they sat at their desk, browsed the Internet, and appeared to be sleeping.
Thomas denied being Michael Thomas when contacted by FBI and OIG agents on August 12, 2019.
Thomas was positively identified as the Material Handler Supervisor assigned to the SHU on the night of August 9-10, 2019. He later cooperated with investigators, consented to a search of his phone on August 26, 2019, and gave a voluntary sworn statement to the OIG on June 17, 2021.
The SHU 30-minute check sheet would reflect real-time documentation of rounds conducted throughout the shift.
Forensic analysis of Thomas's computer shows he downloaded and printed the SHU 30 CHECK SHEET form at approximately 12:39-12:43 a.m. on August 10, 2019, at the very beginning of his shift, suggesting the check sheet was pre-printed rather than filled out during actual rounds.
Key Relationships(3)
Co-defendant in Case 1:19-cr-00830-AT. Noel and Thomas were jointly charged and both assigned to the SHU on the night of August 9-10, 2019. Both entered deferred prosecution agreements in May 2021.
Thomas was one of two officers responsible for monitoring the SHU area where Epstein was housed. Thomas found Epstein dead in his cell at approximately 6:33 a.m. on August 10, 2019.
Nicholas Tartaglione was an inmate at MCC whose criminal prosecution was referenced alongside the Noel/Thomas case in FOIA litigation. BOP withheld records citing potential interference with both cases.
Timeline(19 events)
Michael Albert Thomas born.
Thomas assigned to Special Housing Unit#2 Officer, Morning Shift 12:00 AM-8:00 AM at MCC, alongside Tova Noel.
At 12:36:54 a.m., Thomas logged onto his BOP computer. At approximately 12:39-12:43 a.m., he downloaded, opened, and printed a 'SHU 30 CHECK SHEET' form.
During their shift, Thomas and Noel failed to conduct any of the required institutional counts. For substantial portions of their shifts, they sat at their desk, browsed the Internet, and appeared to be sleeping. They signed false certifications attesting to having conducted counts.
At approximately 6:33 a.m., Thomas found Jeffrey Epstein dead in cell L220 on the ninth floor of the MCC with a strip of bedsheet around his neck.
FBI and OIG agents attempted to interview Thomas. He denied over the phone that he was Thomas and did not agree to speak with agents.
Thomas consented to a search of his Apple iPhone XS, which was collected from his attorney Shannon Farrar by the FBI.
Thomas's Apple iPhone XS returned to his lawyer Shannon Farrar, with AUSA concurrence.
USAO-SDNY presented investigation findings indicating Thomas and Noel did not conduct any required counts and falsified records.
Indictment unsealed charging Thomas with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) and three counts of making false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3)).
Thomas's defense attorney Montell Figgins filed a formal discovery request for OIG materials.
Court order filed by Judge Analisa Torres in the case against Thomas and Noel.
Additional discovery provided to Thomas's counsel pursuant to Rule 16(a).
U.S. Pretrial Officer filed a Diversion Report regarding Michael Thomas.
Deferred Prosecution Agreement filed, requiring community service and cooperation with investigations. Charges effectively dropped.
Thomas gave a voluntary sworn statement to the DOJ Office of the Inspector General at his attorney's office in Newark, NJ, as part of his cooperation under the deferred prosecution agreement.
USAO-SDNY provided update on OIG interviews of Noel and Thomas to facilitate release of previously withheld BOP documents in the NY Times FOIA case.
Approximately 2,700 pages of BOP documents related to Epstein's incarceration and suicide were released, having been previously withheld due to Thomas and Noel prosecution.
BOP Office of Internal Affairs memorandum listing Thomas as '(Separated)' from the Bureau of Prisons, referencing the OIG investigation.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
5 sources for document mentions
USA v. Thomas and Noel - Guard Misconduct Charges
2019-11-19
“Federal charges against MCC New York corrections officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas for falsifyin”
FBI FD-302 - Investigation into Epstein Death (2019)
2019-08-15
“FBI interview summaries from the investigation into Epstein's death at MCC New York. Agents intervie”
The indictment charges TOVA NOEL and MICHAEL THOMAS with creating and submitting false count slips f...
“The indictment charges TOVA NOEL and MICHAEL THOMAS with creating and submitting false count slips f”
The indictment charges two correctional officers, TOVA NOEL and MICHAEL THOMAS, with conspiracy and ...
“The indictment charges two correctional officers, TOVA NOEL and MICHAEL THOMAS, with conspiracy and ”
NYC Medical Examiner Report - Epstein Death Ruling (2019)
2019-08-16
“The New York City Medical Examiner ruled Jeffrey Epstein's death a suicide by hanging on August 10, ”
Sources
1 source for known connections
Co-Document Mentions
“Named alongside other network members in 7 documents”
Known Connections (2)
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Document Mentions
This dossier on Michael Thomas was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.