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Son of ‘Covenant Eyes’ Founder Charged With Child Sex Abuse, ‘Using Computers To Commit a Crime’
Protestia ^ | October 6, 2025 | staff

Posted on 10/06/2025 10:20:49 PM PDT by Morgana

A Michigan man linked to prominent “anti-adult content” software has been charged with several child sex offenses after trying to meet up with a decoy minor for sexual activity.

On August 13, 2025, Kent County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Thomas Wideman, stepson of Ron DeHaas, co-founder of Covenant Eyes, a tool used by churches, schools, and families to monitor and filter online adult content.

Founded in 2000 with the expressed purpose of shielding his stepsons and family from the dangers of internet, following the death of his first wife and children in a tragic car accident, DeHaas’s Covenant Eyes pioneered the concept of Internet Accountability and claims more than 1.7 million people have rejected pornography as a result of their software.

According to court documents, an undercover female detective, posing as a 14-year-old girl, began communicating with Wideman on July 23. Over several weeks, Wideman sent explicit messages, expressed intent to bring condoms to a meeting, and requested photos.

A meeting was arranged for August 14 at a location provided by the detective. Upon arrival, Wideman was apprehended by officers, and a subsequent search of his phone revealed several child pornography videos.

Wideman faces eight felony charges, including using a computer to commit a crime, child sexually abusive activity, and soliciting minors for immoral purposes, some carrying potential life sentences.

His bond was set at $300,000, which was paid with assistance from DeHaas, allowing Wideman’s release pending trial. A status conference is scheduled for October.

*mugshot on link*

(Excerpt) Read more at protestia.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Religion
KEYWORDS:

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Thank you very much and God bless you.

Well that just defeated it's purpose.
1 posted on 10/06/2025 10:20:49 PM PDT by Morgana
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To: Morgana

It’s quite common when a person has to view such imagery as part of their job that it can change their morals.


2 posted on 10/06/2025 10:36:01 PM PDT by Jonty30 (Socialism's promises, like a Djinn's wishes to the greedy, lead to punishment when due. )
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To: Morgana

The utter disintegration of the family.

It’s like a quiet, slow-motion nuclear bomb is crashing through the country, mindlessly obliterating society while we weren’t looking.

This story...what a shame.


3 posted on 10/06/2025 10:36:08 PM PDT by one guy in new jersey
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To: Jonty30

What do you mean? His dad invented “Covenant Eyes” which blocks filth from coming into your home computer. So if his son was using the program he would not have seen anything and had a pure heart and mind.


4 posted on 10/06/2025 10:39:13 PM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul 🇺🇸 )
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To: one guy in new jersey

Not only true but “Covenant Eyes” was created to prevent that.


5 posted on 10/06/2025 10:40:10 PM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul 🇺🇸 )
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To: Morgana

Right. Ruddy orful.


6 posted on 10/06/2025 10:42:46 PM PDT by one guy in new jersey
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To: Jonty30

Sad but true.


7 posted on 10/06/2025 11:04:32 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Morgana

Principle. If you’re going to look at child porn, in order to do things like law enforcement, you better be very centered and mentally healthy. It will consume you if you don’t.


8 posted on 10/06/2025 11:40:32 PM PDT by Jonty30 (Socialism's promises, like a Djinn's wishes to the greedy, lead to punishment when due. )
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To: Morgana

“Covenant eyes”. What a creepy name.


9 posted on 10/07/2025 4:27:58 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: Morgana

For the record, Thomas Wideman is 38 years old. The article was written in such a way as to imply that he was still in his step-father’s household.


10 posted on 10/07/2025 5:21:25 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Morgana

What does this have to do with the founder of Covenant Eyes?


11 posted on 10/07/2025 5:44:51 AM PDT by Ge0ffrey
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To: Morgana

Sad story. Satan knows where to attack.


12 posted on 10/07/2025 5:47:27 AM PDT by bray (It's not racist to be racist against races the DNC hates.)
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To: Jonty30

I don’t think the Covenant Eyes is a filter program where the admins are exposed to the filth; but I’m not sure, not having explored the net’s back alleys myself. Keeps my computer virus-free, I must say.


13 posted on 10/07/2025 8:56:27 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Draw the line that Kirk exemplified: debate is healthy; violence is unacceptable. --Christopher Rufo)
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