Casefile True Crime: Episode 317 – Thomas Perez

Release Date: May 3, 2025

Introduction

Casefile True Crime delves into gripping and often unsettling real-life criminal cases. In Episode 317, titled "Thomas Perez," hosted by Casefile Presents, listeners are taken through a harrowing tale of suspicion, interrogation, and eventual vindication. This episode not only highlights the complexities of police investigations but also sheds light on the psychological impact of wrongful accusations.

Missing Person Report

On the night of Wednesday, August 8, 2018, Thomas Perez Jr., a 53-year-old resident of Fontana, Southern California, made a non-emergency call to the Fontana Police Department reporting his father, Thomas Perez Sr., missing. At [01:51], the Casefile Host explains, "They lived in a cul-de-sac with a communal mailbox, so it was only supposed to be a brief stroll."

Perez Sr., known affectionately as "Papa Tom," had left the house between 9:30 and 10 PM to check the mail, accompanied by their dog, Margot. However, Margot returned alone, and Papa Tom was nowhere to be found. Initially, Tom Jr. wasn't overly concerned, assuming his father might visit a friend or family member, as their lives were relatively separate.

Rising Concern and Police Involvement

As hours turned into a day without any word from Thomas Sr., Tom Jr.'s concern grew. At [03:27], the Host narrates, "Tom feared that his father, who was on a slow cognitive decline, might have mindlessly wandered off while getting the mail and could be walking the streets of Fontana, disoriented and lost."

Contacting the police, Tom spoke with Community Services Officer Joanna Pina. However, Officer Pina was immediately suspicious of Tom's demeanor. At [04:45], Pina sensed a lack of genuine concern, noting his "nonchalant manner with no sense of urgency."

Suspicion and Home Investigation

Officer Pina and her supervisor, Corporal Sheila Foley, decided to visit Tom Jr.'s home to assess his behavior in person. At [06:11], they arrived at a chaotic residence: "broken furniture, tools, construction equipment strewn about, while boxes of possessions were piled in every corner." Tom attributed the mess to renovations in anticipation of selling the house amid a personal separation from his wife.

During their rudimentary search, the officers found missing items from Thomas Sr.'s bedroom, including a mattress and a shower curtain. Additionally, dried blood smears were discovered throughout the home, which Tom explained as related to his father's diabetes tests and minor accidents. At [09:34], the Host states, "Officer Foley believed that the presence of blood indicated that Thomas Sr. was no longer alive."

Interrogation and False Confession

With mounting suspicions, Tom was asked to provide a statement at the Fontana Police Department. At [10:32], he entered an interrogation room where Detectives Robert Miller and Jeremy Hale began questioning him. Despite Tom's consistent denials, the officers remained convinced of his guilt.

As the interrogation extended into late hours, Detectives David Janusz and Kyle Guthrie took over, intensifying their efforts. Utilizing psychological tactics, they drove Tom around Fontana, subtly probing for inconsistencies. Notably, when Tom inquired, "if bodies floated," the detectives capitalized on his increased nervousness.

The turning point came when the family's dog, Margot, was brought into the interrogation room. Detectives disclosed that Margot had been found traumatized with blood on her paws, claiming she had witnessed the murder. At [14:04], they told Tom, "Your dog is sitting there looking at you, knowing that you killed your dad."

Under relentless pressure and psychological manipulation, including threats of financial restitution and lifelong imprisonment, Tom began to lose his grip on reality. His emotional state deteriorated, culminating in a false confession where he recounted stabbing his father with scissors and disposing of the body.

Legal Proceedings and Settlement

Following his confession, Tom was placed under a 5150 hold—a provision for involuntary psychiatric evaluation. Days later, it was revealed that Thomas Perez Sr. was alive and well, having been detained at Los Angeles International Airport. The police had erroneously classified evidence and relied on dubious methods, such as using an unofficial cadaver dog and the misinterpretation of blood tests.

Tom filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Fontana, alleging false imprisonment, due process violations, and emotional distress caused by the police's misconduct. At [37:04], the Host mentions, "Tom Perez's case is an example of how lying to suspects during police interrogations can lead to false statements or worse still, false confessions."

In 2024, concerned about the possibility of qualified immunity shielding the officers from liability, the City of Fontana opted to settle the case. Tom received $898,000 in damages, though no internal disciplinary actions were taken against the officers involved. Detectives continued their careers, with some receiving promotions and accolades despite the controversy.

Aftermath and Reflections

The ordeal left deep scars on both Tom and his father. Their relationship, previously strained but functional, suffered from the trauma of wrongful suspicion and the loss of their dog, Margot, who was mistakenly euthanized by the police. At [19:14], the Host notes, "Tom believes the reason he confessed to a murder he didn't commit was because he'd been brainwashed by the interviewing detectives."

In an exclusive interview, Tom expressed his lasting trauma: "I never want to be in that kind of place again. Mentally. I didn’t know it was possible to get a completely innocent person to confess to something like that."

Conclusion

Episode 317 of Casefile True Crime serves as a poignant reminder of the fallibility of law enforcement practices, especially concerning interrogation techniques. The Thomas Perez case underscores the devastating impact of false accusations and the urgent need for reform in police interrogation methods to prevent such tragic miscarriages of justice in the future.

"Don't call the Cops," Tom’s final reflection, encapsulates the profound loss of trust and the lingering trauma inflicted by misguided policing.

Notable Quotes

• At [05:15], Tom remarks, "Let me know, it may be my father."
• At [08:33], Detectives challenge Tom, "Are you sure you didn't argue with your dad?"
• At [66:57], Detective David Yarnousch states, "Tom had admitted to stabbing his father with a pair of scissors."
• At [19:14], Tom’s attorney, Jerry Steering, describes the police conduct as "the worst act of deliberate cruelty."

This detailed account not only narrates the sequence of events but also highlights the psychological manipulation employed by the police, leading to a wrongful confession and severe personal repercussions for Tom Perez Jr.