Hours after an arrest warrant was issued for Thomas Palaio, a convicted child sex offender for failing to register, he was back back behind bars after being discovered at a Middletown Township home authorities served a search warrant on in which two others with warrants were taken into custody, police said.
According to police, authorities executed a search warrant on a house located in the 1600 block of Ramble Road.
As a result of that warrant three people were taken into custody. Michael DeSantis was arrested on a domestic assault warrant, Heather Winthers was also arrested on a domestic relations warrant, and Palaio was arrested for failing to comply with the Megan‘s Law as a sexually violent predator as well as a probation violation, said police in community release.
Upon the officers entering the home, they found dangerous living conditions, and called Middletown Township’s Fire Marshal office, Licensing and Inspection, as well as building zoning. Subsequently the house was condemned for human occupancy due to life, health and safety risks, officials said.
The SPCA and MTPD Animal Control Officers also came to the residence and were granted another warrant to take custody of all of the animals in the home. All three subjects arrested will also face charges related to the failure to care for their animals, authorities said.
Palaio and his father John made headlines in July of 2022 as part of separate investigations that ended up crisscrossing, according to a LevittownNow.com report.
Middletown Township police and the U.S. Marshals Service were searching for the younger Palaio, on charges of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old, sexual assault, child pornography, and criminal use of a communication facility. His father, John, at the time was the target of a narcotics investigation, the report said.
“We would like to thank the Bucks County Sheriff’s Warrant Unit, the SPCA, ACO Keen, the Fire Marshals, L&I, building and zoning, code enforcement and MDJ 07-1-07 for their assistance,” Middletown Police said.
All parties were remanded to Bucks County Prison and charges are pending upcoming court dates.
