Man accused of posting sexually explicit videos of ex-girlfriend on Instagram

Police are searching for a Philadelphia man accused of posting sexually explicit photos and videos of his ex-girlfriend on Instagram and harassing her with help from his mother in an attempt to stop her from testifying against them.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

The investigation began on Dec. 20, 2025, when a woman from Pennsbury Township, Chester County, contacted Pennsylvania State Police.

The woman told investigators she had given her phone to her ex-boyfriend – later identified as 31-year-old Dominic Thomas of Philadelphia – after her vehicle had been stolen the previous day on Dec. 19. According to the criminal complaint, Thomas suffered a medical emergency that day and took the woman’s phone with him when he was transported to Chester County Hospital for treatment.

After being released from the hospital, Thomas traveled to Philadelphia where he assaulted the woman’s daughter in a separate incident that’s being investigated by Philadelphia police, according to the criminal complaint.

The woman said she went to Philadelphia to help her daughter and returned with her to their home in Chester County. Later that day, she received a phone call in which she heard Thomas threaten to post naked photos of her on his public Instagram account, investigators said.

The woman said she then received a call from Thomas’ family member in which he claimed Thomas had posted nude photos of her on Instagram. The woman – who had previously blocked Thomas on social media – unblocked his Instagram page and discovered sexually explicit videos and photos of her on his account, investigators said.

Investigators determined Thomas had posted at least three sexually explicit videos of the victim between Dec. 19, 2025, and Dec. 21, 2025. Thomas also posted other videos in which he threatened to post more explicit clips of the woman if she testified against him, officials said.

On Jan. 6, 2026, the victim obtained Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders against both Thomas and Shaw. She also reported more criminal behavior from Thomas to Pennsylvania State Police.

Investigators also obtained a search warrant for Thomas’ Instagram account on Feb. 2, 2026, and found the sexually explicit videos he posted of the victim, according to the criminal complaint.

Thomas never showed up for his preliminary hearing which was scheduled for Feb. 18, 2026, according to investigators.

Police also said Thomas and Shaw both violated the PFA orders against them by repeatedly contacting the victim between Feb. 14, 2026, and March 26, 2026. In the messages, both Thomas and Shaw urged the woman to drop the PFA orders and charges against them, according to the criminal complaint. During one exchange, a tearful Thomas told the victim he was going to get therapy, had gotten a job and claimed he would hate her forever and never speak to her again if she went to court, investigators said.

Thomas was charged with multiple offenses for multiple incidents, including unauthorized use of motor/other vehicles, simple assault, false imprisonment, harassment, unlawful restraint, unlawful dissemination of intimate image, demanding payment to remove/prevent disclosure of material containing sexual conduct/nudity, and intimidating a witness/victim.

Shaw was also charged with intimidating a witness/victim to withhold testimony, harassment and other related offenses.

Neither Thomas nor Shaw are in custody and police continue to investigate.